I have nothing to lose tonight.
All my men surround me, panting,
as I spin the ball above our heads
on my middle finger.
It’s a shimmering club light
and I’m dancing, slick in my sweat.
Squinting, I aim at the hole
fifty feet away. I let the tension go.
Shoot for the net. Choke it.
I never hear the ball
slap the backboard. I slam it
through the net. The crowd goes wild
for our win. I scored
thirty-two points this game
and they love me for it.
Everyone hollering
is a friend tonight.
But there are towns,
certain neighborhoods
where I’d be hard pressed
to hear them cheer
if I move on the block.
"American Hero" by Essex Hemphill is a freeverse poem about a basketball game. He describes how he is feeling during the game and how he makes the winning score. With many people cheering him on at this game, he knows the people that live a few blocks away wouldn't be doing the same thing because of his skin color. This poem includes a valuable message. This message is that your skin color should not matter because your just as important, and can accomplish just as much as anyone else can. "...slick in my sweat. Squinting..." are examples of alliteration because of the repeating "S" sound. In this poem the ball is being referring the basketball to a club light being an example of a metaphor. Even if your not into sports, this poem can give you a different view on things and how people deserve to be treated equally no matter what color you are, where you live, or what you enjoy doing.
I have nothing to lose tonight.
All my men surround me, panting,
as I spin the ball above our heads
on my middle finger.
It’s a shimmering club light
and I’m dancing, slick in my sweat.
Squinting, I aim at the hole
fifty feet away. I let the tension go.
Shoot for the net. Choke it.
I never hear the ball
slap the backboard. I slam it
through the net. The crowd goes wild
for our win. I scored
thirty-two points this game
and they love me for it.
Everyone hollering
is a friend tonight.
But there are towns,
certain neighborhoods
where I’d be hard pressed
to hear them cheer
if I move on the block.
"American Hero" by Essex Hemphill is a freeverse poem about a basketball game. He describes how he is feeling during the game and how he makes the winning score. With many people cheering him on at this game, he knows the people that live a few blocks away wouldn't be doing the same thing because of his skin color. This poem includes a valuable message. This message is that your skin color should not matter because your just as important, and can accomplish just as much as anyone else can. "...slick in my sweat. Squinting..." are examples of alliteration because of the repeating "S" sound. In this poem the ball is being referring the basketball to a club light being an example of a metaphor. Even if your not into sports, this poem can give you a different view on things and how people deserve to be treated equally no matter what color you are, where you live, or what you enjoy doing.