Poem: Michael Vick's Conditional Return

Michael Vick
Back in the NFL, a revitalized, reformed man
Out of his prison jump suit and back into an NFL uniform
Midnight Green as a Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
D-McNabb’s backup
His longtime friend, now mentor as the reinvention of one of the NFL’s most dazzling, exciting open field players begins
Amid speculation
Of what can Vick still accomplish with his sleek-feet and strong arm
Given that he’s still athletic, described as lightening in a bottle by his new teammate, center Jamaal Jackson
And, yes, Vick can still fly, still has graceAnd ambition?
Oh, we’re all waiting to see
Waiting to see if, after a 23-month federal prison sentence, he can still take over a game
Make defensive linemen look like they’re stuck in quick sand
Linebackers nearly break their ankles trying to tackle him
Yes, with intrigue, curiosity, we all wait
Dog owners, dog lovers, whether they hate him or not
Waiting to see if he can dash and flash, still knows how to slash
And all, you see, for the very reason that helps our country heal
That being sports, that being the power and appeal of an athlete
For sports is the ultimate healer
Can help clear demons
Can help rectify
And Michael Vick has a whole lot of rectifying to do for his merciless past crimes with dogs
But he paid his dues, spent his time behind bars, lost millions and marketing power
His life will never be the same again
But he’s back in the NFL, the game he’s always loved
Will play before and perhaps delight fans in Philly who once cheered against him
Some may boo in his NFL debut against him
But after one touchdown or two, one elusive open field move, electrifying run
We’ll all see how much perception of Vick changes
May not be fast, but every man deserves the chance to prove his remorse
To prove that he’s rehabilitated
To prove that he can be a positive influence in life away from the field as well as on it
Both major keys to the full comeback of Michael Vick
A great football player again, and we can all only hope, a better man
At peace within himself
His criminal acts behind him
Life, the NFL ahead
And perhaps forgiveness by people who now say that they hate him
But that is not God’s way
So, if Vick is indeed reformed, remorseful
Then his return to the NFL deserves to be more welcomed than hated.

Dallas vs. Philadelphia Showdown

So, here it goes
Philadelphia vs. Dallas
Birds against Cowboys
Some say Cowgirls, but Cowgirls dance
Not shoot, not stomp
Run wild? Well, yes Cowgirls do, but so too does these Cowboys
Twice whipping the Eagles this season
But pride, oh no, Dallas has not taken it away
So here it is Philly vs. Dallas
NFC wild-card game, winner move on, loser head on outta here
Gotta love it, the NFL playoffs, pressure-cooker stuff at its best
The season hanging in the balance each game for each team
Cliffhanging stuff
And a cliffhanger come to think about is what the Eagles have been on all season
From training camp where there was the crushing death of longtime defensive coordinator Jim Johnson
To season-ending injuries of MIKE Stewart Bradley and rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram
And there was that out-on-the-town-turned-bad-night for defensive end Juqua Parker
Arrested for apparently having a joint in his possession
A wrist slapper, a minor distraction
Of which nobody really cared about them, not putting high in the memory banks now
Just part of the season, a long one
One that tonight in Texas could come to an end
Maybe not
Maybe not because Donovan McNabb will introduce Fly McNabb and pass all over Cowboys Stadium and into the hands of Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Maclin or tight end Brent Celek
Or Kevin Curtis, yeah, remember him, or Brian Westbrook, yes, this may be No. 36’s time to shine in a season of more downs than ups for the veteran running back
It’s on, no doubt, must be on
So, behind Fly McNabb the Eagles must bounce back from the 24-0 loss to Dallas last week
From humiliation
As they did after an Oct. 18 loss to the bumbling, stumbling Oakland Raiders, 13-9
Whipped the Washington Redskins the following week, 27-17, then tore into the New York Giants, 40-17,
Then uh oh, Dallas paid Philly a visit, Cowboys with a star on their helmet
And Dallas, helped by a fourth quarter Tony Romo-to-Miles Austin 49-yard TD pass, prevailed 20-16
A nail-biter, typical Dallas-Philly
Gut-wrenching stuff
What tonight may be in the final showdown of this season between longtime rivals
Bang, bang
Yes, it’s on
Dallas vs. Philly
Birds vs. Cowboys
And the winner ….
To be determined before the strike of midnight.

Lucky New Year

Happy New Year
We here it all the time
Never bad
Though it happens in far too many years
Lucky, no never hear it
But luck is what most of us need as we brace, then try to brave all of society’s elements
The good, the bad, the ugly
The unforeseen
That blindsided shot, either from a friend, family member, your boss
That stab in the back, ditto the above
So how to survive and keep on ticking?
A question for today, tomorrow, essentially every year
I, perhaps you neither have a clear, convincing answer
So for you as well as I, all we can really do is just pray
Pray that this year will be better than the last
Pray that there’s endless joy, little disappointment
Pray for love and healthy relationship
With your mate
With your family
With God, always God
And pray, pray for luck
For while we each entered this year saying Happy New Year
Ultimately it is luck that will carry us through
Helping us to overcome all obstacles
Big and small
Helping us succeed
For success, no matter the degree
Should be on each of our minds
Otherwise, why say Happy New Year
If you’re not ready continue chasing after all your dream?

Life As We Wish

If life could be
As you once envisioned
Would you want it to be wrinkle free?
So perfect that tree limbs bend
As you walk by
If only just in your mind?
If life could be
Imagination turned into reality
Would you have an ATM in your living room?
Cash flow at your every calling
Just loaded with money
In need of nothing?
If life could be
More predictable than unpredictable
Would you have that dream job?
Be engaged in the perfect marriage
Or relationship
Where two-way love overshadows all else?
If life could be …
Oh so jolly
I for one would go back to erase
My depressed childhood
Where I had no massaging hand to ease emotional pains
And at times little hope.
If life could be
As it apparently has not for many of us
From which mountain top would you like to stand
And scream
And give praise
For just still breathing?
If life could be
As we know God prefers
Would you not lie
Or cheat
Or sin
Or pay the devil any mind?
If life could be
As I must tell you it has not been for me
Would you allow prayer to be your everyday ignition
Main source of power
Your getaway from all chaos
Your gateway to a free mind.
If life could be
Pre-planned and forever unaltered
Where do you want to be today
And tomorrow and the next day
And the future?
Your life, my life, lived as always wished.

On Top of the World Because of You

I can go to Sugar Loaf Mountain
But you are here
I can search the rest of my life but you are here
I can fly, float
And I think I will
Because you are here
Beauty and perfection
Sweetness overflow
So, since you are here
I might as well fly and float
And dance
Dance on top of the world
‘Cause that’s the way you make me feel.

Deserving Love

In my eyes there is no woman prettier than you
I say with sincerity
I say
See, I say because of the swimming thoughts in my brain when I think about you
I say, see because I’m not into faking it
So, in my eyes, I say you’re hot
Thought it the first time I laid eyes on you
Think it even more now
Excuse me if I melt
Nothing wrong with that
For too many men hold back emotions
Try to hide true feelings
Like, can’t tell her that
But not me
For if I to not tell you today that you are the prettiest woman I ever seen
I may not get the chance to tomorrow
As nothing in life is guaranteed
So, I say with sincerity
You are pretty
And hot
Very desirable
Too precious to hurt
Just a worldwide darling
Deserving only to be loved.

Handsome Man to Pretty Woman

Pretty woman, pretty sincere
Is it possible to have both in one?
Goods and grace
Character of the highest, strong morals to go with it
Worth chasing, trying to move a mountain for
Walk through fire, blizzard just to get to
Pretty woman, pretty sincere
She’s out there
Really think she’s you
The non-stop pound in my heart telling me so
For when I think of pretty
I think of jaw-dropping, accident-causing
Sizzle, dazzle
Perfection in my eyes
An answer to lifetime dreams
But I also think of laughter and storytelling
Walks in the park, candlelight dinners
My pretty woman and I sharing it all
For when I think of pretty
I also think about what’s inside
‘Bout whether there is passion and sincerity
Whether there’s hurt that needs to be healed
Of which I could help
First with my hand, the touch of love
Then with my ear, for listening is a form of release
And lastly, simply with my heart
For I cannot lure the pretty woman of my choice
If my heart is not open
My intentions good
Temptations slowed in this world where pretty women are everywhere
But I just need one
And only one pretty woman
Sincerely, handsome man.