Ode to a Piece of Wood and Some Wheels

by Jovel Velez

I’ve heard the sound of men pushing the ground away

Gathering the speed to make it

I have seen the blood,

Smelled the sweat,

Heard the tears

And felt the concrete hit my body when I fall

Shout out to the homeless people

Who always have a story to tell

I am listening but let me hit this rail first

I have nightmares about those moments

Staring down a stair set after every run up to it

The hours spent at one spot

Broken boards

Screaming obscenities while we run back up the stairs

Just to come falling down one more time

“This one, right here!”

Security always showing up right before we get the clip

Saying this is trespassing or destruction of public property

We’ve heard it all before and just laugh

Finally you get it

Or you don’t

But flying down a hill

On your way back from the spot

Wind rushing around your body

With the sound of that smack

When the tail hits the ground

It is a part of the culture

A part of skating

Meeting so many different people

So much of the world you get to see

A community like no other

When all it is, is just a piece of wood

And some wheels