No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

Location

Deep Run High School
4801 Twin Hickory Road Glen Allen, VA 23059
United States
37° 40' 31.1124" N, 77° 35' 59.0748" W

Entering high school,

the stereotypical high school jock,

sole focus to be the best on the team and win over the hearts of girls.

 

Not truly understanding myself,

following my father's basketball dreams,

spending hours each day working on my craft.

 

Judged as the kid who played hard on the court,

but worked harder in the classroom,

maintainng an A average in order to play.

 

Unbeknownst to those seeing my orange and black curtain,

my life of basketball,

secretly fueled by my passion for music.

 

While the game clock ticked on, 

songs echoed and sounded through my mind,

ranging from soothing classical to good ole country.

 

Music's intensity seamlessly morphing with the pace of the game,

the rhythm of the song stimulating muscle memory,

resulting in either crisp or wobbly dribbles, passes, and shots.

 

My internal music remaining surpressed,

until that fateful and liberating day in Jaunary of sophomore year,

finally reaching my physical breaking point.

 

Enduring many torturous months of extreme knee discomfort,

surrendering to the onslaught of piercing pains and uncontrollable tingles,

paralyzing my knees.

 

Forced into early retirement, 

finally being able to pull back the curtain,

unleashing the covert and surreptitious musical side of me.

 

Coming full circle, 

singing "Man in the Mirror" at Convocation in front of my entire senior class,

surprising them with my hidden musical talent.

 

Now each and every day,

starting with man in the mirror,

I know I have changed my ways.

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