Smash's Block
Football 2010

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   Damond "Smash" Warren was an All-City football player (offensive lineman) for Bartram in 1982 and later the head coach at his alma mater, along with King and Chester beforehand. He's now an assistant principal at FitzSimons, but can't quite get football out of his blood. He'll make occasional contributions.
    You may contact him at coachsmash@gmail.com.

OCT. 29
PLAYOFFS

By Damond Warren

 

Players from far and near

In high schools everywhere

Are getting ready for the playoffs

This time of year

 

But for others it’s too much to bear

Not playing at all

Or, in games where nobody cares

 

No doubt, this could be a metaphor for life

With all the stresses, strife, and struggles

Like the cinder blocks we juggle

 

We must win or go home

Don’t choke on the smoke

Or the fillet of fish bone

 

Because it’s not there anymore

If need be, go to the store

Buy some heart

 

During the playoffs in the season of life

You will need plenty of it

As you try to win your “Chip”

Don’t make excuses if you lose
Cause they are useless
And build monuments of nothingness

Instead, with the courage of a
Gladiator, Sensai, Mandingo, or Brave
Fight until the finish
Don’t end up a socio-economical Slave

Smack, Crunch, Hit and Kapow!
Play on “Playas”
Win your playoff games

Then transfer your know-how to the real world
Cause if you do; life shall be like sugar cane

And you shall be able to purchase your own Diamonds & Pearls
Good Luck!

SEPT. 19
EDUCATION IS FREEDOM

There are more Black and Brown men in prison than in college. Not saying that college is the only way to make it in this great land of opportunity. There are multiple pathways towards becoming a positive and productive member of society. The street life isn't one of them. For those who are leaning and those who have already fallen in the trap, this poem is especially for you. For everyone else out there that coaches and mentors the youth in some fashion, winning competitions is one of our rewards. However, preparing these young men for life is our duty.
 

Kings 

By Damond "Smash" Warren 

 

King of the Gridiron

However, Delinquent in life

One must wonder how you will make it Out of the ghetto

When Red and Blue Lights Are shining in your window each night

 

King of the girls

Pearls you're not buying them

Raw meat is your flavor

Until it burns your body with heat

For this free medical center is your treat

 

King of the class

Education ain’t cool so acting a fool is your thing

No time for class work, studying, or homework

At the end of 4 years, No Cap, No Gown, No Ring

 

King of the Streets

On the wet corner hustling for a penny

Watching old teammates drive by with Dimes in their cars

You trying to figure out how to come up &

Stay away from behind the bars

 

King of the yard

You made it back to the plantation

So many slaves around the nation

Trying to survive their yards

Prison guards like overseers keeping chattel in check

One-day shank pierces your skull tossed off the 4th floor deck

 

King of the Grave

Your spirit still here but the body is gone

Looking down on the gridiron, girls, class, streets, and the yard

Whisper in the ear of the next King please

Before again we sing this song

AUG. 16
  A poem . . .

My Ex-Girl

I first met her when I was 12 years old

She captured my heart like no other

It was God, my Grandmother, and her

 

We played together

In the rain, sleet, and snow

We first made love down South

But when I moved back to the ghetto, she was there

 

She saved my life

Helped to cut away all the negativity around me

I was a young boy, but she was my wife

 

Joined at the hip for 30 years

But the last 20 we did each other for money

It was never about the paper for me

 

Over and over again

I used her to help turn boys into men

Whether it was 7 on 7, 11 on 11, or breaking down tape

I’m sad that for the first time in 21 years, I’m not with her

I shed a tear

 

The skills she has taught me

Makes me raise the bar!

Even though she still has my heart

For now, I must love her from afar

 

But for all of you out there that love her also

Go hard; Block, Tackle, Catch, Run, and Score!

Make love to Football until you can’t anymore

 

  Good luck this season!