Huffy (Clean Version)
I received an email from a reader who wanted to use "Huffy" in a school poetry slam. Unfortunately, there were some inappropriate words, references, and context. So this is "Huffy (Clean Version)" - made for the stage at a middle school :)
I could have sworn
Down and up,
That I was in
Hypersonic-superspeed mode;
A frantic frenzy,
Charging like a bull
At a red clothed matador.
I pedaled with the fury of typhoons,
I pedaled like the childhood monster under my bed
(Scary Larry)
Was in chase,
Just about to nab me
And take that chunk outta my leg
He'd been eyeing.
I was a maniacal madman
with dauntless determination.
Tuned out,
Zoned in,
Knuckled up.
I scrutinized the oncoming leap of faith
As its distance decreased
way too quick.
Bike and ramp,
Were destined to cross paths in
5 seconds,
I shut my eyes,squeezed,
4...
8 alert eyes
Watched 2 limber legs
Grinding,
1 crazy cortex
Pumped Endorphins
Quicker than a crowded QuikMart,
3...
The ramp
Was thick veneered plywood.
It had the hunger of a bear,
It was sloppily painted,
Yellow, orange and red flames.
It leaned insensibly
Against a blue,
Faded,
Plastic milk crate.
It aimed toward danger.
2...
The bike was a white Huffy,
Mags,
Pegs,
Bad brakes and scratched paint,
Greased chain
Pain
Machine.
1...
I traversed to turbulence,
Friction diminished quickly,
Rubber wheels went from concrete,
To wood,
To air.
I floated.
Flew.
I was free.
Life's nutrients filled me.
Scary Larry,
Was gone.
The frantic frenzy was replaced
With sheer excitement.
Tuned in,
Buckled down,
Gone from section 8 to feeling great.
Cheers reigned from 4 mouths,
2 tires bounced down,
But 1 mistake was made...
I was cocky.
I turned toward those 8 alert eyes,
delivered a smile.
Light
Went dark.
In recount,
The speed was that of a funeral line.
My head turned too far,
so my neck turned too far,
So my shoulders turned too far,
So my arms turned too far.
My front tire,
Well, it couldn't argue.
The Huffy wobbled,
Shook like a seizure,
Tipped left,
Hurled me right.
Chin to pavement,
Elbows hit knees as I folded like a lawn chair,
Fingers to toes,
All sliding,
Grinding
Through pulpy flesh.
That smug,
Sanctimonious sneer,
Had bit my pompous behind.
Getting up before the agony set in
Just so I could kick that pain machine,
Was my only retribution.
But it stubbed my toe on impact.
The Huffy wins again.
That Huffy has chalked up
More scraped knees
Than kindergartners in a sandbox.
And I chalked up another lesson,
Unlearned.
Down and up,
That I was in
Hypersonic-superspeed mode;
A frantic frenzy,
Charging like a bull
At a red clothed matador.
I pedaled with the fury of typhoons,
I pedaled like the childhood monster under my bed
(Scary Larry)
Was in chase,
Just about to nab me
And take that chunk outta my leg
He'd been eyeing.
I was a maniacal madman
with dauntless determination.
Tuned out,
Zoned in,
Knuckled up.
I scrutinized the oncoming leap of faith
As its distance decreased
way too quick.
Bike and ramp,
Were destined to cross paths in
5 seconds,
I shut my eyes,squeezed,
4...
8 alert eyes
Watched 2 limber legs
Grinding,
1 crazy cortex
Pumped Endorphins
Quicker than a crowded QuikMart,
3...
The ramp
Was thick veneered plywood.
It had the hunger of a bear,
It was sloppily painted,
Yellow, orange and red flames.
It leaned insensibly
Against a blue,
Faded,
Plastic milk crate.
It aimed toward danger.
2...
The bike was a white Huffy,
Mags,
Pegs,
Bad brakes and scratched paint,
Greased chain
Pain
Machine.
1...
I traversed to turbulence,
Friction diminished quickly,
Rubber wheels went from concrete,
To wood,
To air.
I floated.
Flew.
I was free.
Life's nutrients filled me.
Scary Larry,
Was gone.
The frantic frenzy was replaced
With sheer excitement.
Tuned in,
Buckled down,
Gone from section 8 to feeling great.
Cheers reigned from 4 mouths,
2 tires bounced down,
But 1 mistake was made...
I was cocky.
I turned toward those 8 alert eyes,
delivered a smile.
Light
Went dark.
In recount,
The speed was that of a funeral line.
My head turned too far,
so my neck turned too far,
So my shoulders turned too far,
So my arms turned too far.
My front tire,
Well, it couldn't argue.
The Huffy wobbled,
Shook like a seizure,
Tipped left,
Hurled me right.
Chin to pavement,
Elbows hit knees as I folded like a lawn chair,
Fingers to toes,
All sliding,
Grinding
Through pulpy flesh.
That smug,
Sanctimonious sneer,
Had bit my pompous behind.
Getting up before the agony set in
Just so I could kick that pain machine,
Was my only retribution.
But it stubbed my toe on impact.
The Huffy wins again.
That Huffy has chalked up
More scraped knees
Than kindergartners in a sandbox.
And I chalked up another lesson,
Unlearned.
Other recommended poems based on this one: SHOTS! | WHEN WE DIE WE GO TO CHOCOLATE
Need help writing slam poetry? Check out some posts, blogs and articles here
Need help writing slam poetry? Check out some posts, blogs and articles here