the Wings They Grew

the Wings They Grew

I died in a sleepy subtle way
alone in my own bed
smothered peacefully
by the smoke
that filled my lungs like lead.


I stood before the pearly gates
of flaxen glowing gold
and stared
in wide-eyed wonder
while I watched my future unfold.

"What are your wings?" said a voice
a deep and husky blue
it shook my ribs
and rattled my brain
as only God could ever do.

"M-My wings?" I stuttered quite in awe
my eyes as bright as gems
for what else could
be my wings
than my memories of them?

"Them!" I shout, for God only knows
who those them really are
those humans
so imperfect, so true
so damn addicted to DDR.

Those people who loved me
through thick and thin
who held my hand
who caught my fall
who were my bestest friends.

Those people who cared for me
while I tried and failed
who supported me
who carried me
and who bailed me out of jail.

Those girls who shared with me
those precious womanly needs
like tampons
and Midol
and who blessed me when I sneezed.

Those boys who picked on me
when I was self-conscous and phat
who joked on me
and jibbed on me
until I got them back.

Those dorks who always bent over chess
who challenged me to a duel
who showed me
and taught me
that "clicks" were for the fools.

Those emos in the gloomy courtyard
so categorized by their looks
who outstretched a hand
and gave me a joint
and said "throw away those books."

Those kick-ass punkers who rocked out
with an earphone jacked in each ear
who banged their heads
who cracked open my skull
and released me of all fear.

Those family members who kept me sane
while the world turned upside down
who patted my back
who held me tight
and told me to never frown.

And finally to those wonderful friends
when they told me I could fly
who set me free
who are my wings
and released me into the sky.


"They are my wings," I told Him so
with a grin so bright and true
that the gates opened
and I flew
on the wings my friends grew.