......
This kid approaches me, wanting to shake my hand
It’s a joke to me; he sits down to not make me stand
Must be some crazy fan, he glances at Yolanda fast
Then asks me for an autograph, man, I gotta laugh
He says, “It’s an honor sir, I think you’re the greatest”
But I can no longer hold this burden of being famous
He shows a picture frame; it takes me awhile to lift it
I smile at the image, my mind racing a mile a minute
I blink; watching graves fade to playgrounds
To when I didn’t count days, I made the days count
Age wasn’t fast as me; you’re old as you think you are
I’d turn off a light and return before the room was dark
He who is without courage, doesn’t reach goals in life
I don’t always know the facts… but I know I’m right
Dancing under those bright lights, few ever opposed me
If you can whip any man alive, you never know peace
Much too clever to show weakness, my family aside
Cuz true wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise
Through the hands of time, makes veterans of youths
Climbing mountains don’t get us, it’s the pebble in our shoe
Never asked to be God, the poor honored me that way
Wars of nations change maps; wars of poverty map change
I’m the greatest, I said it before I knew I was, meaning
God gave me illness to tell me I aint number one; He is
I’m dreamin’, didn’t catch what my wife just said
She helps me up, I know I have some surprises left
I slide a pen in my pocket, the kid watches us leave
If only the world could see the tricks up my sleeve…
......
“I can’t believe that’s…” I say sitting at my table, low
I’m shaking; my girlfriend says, “Go on over, say hello”
I shake my head ‘no’; a fan is honestly pathetic
She leans forward, “If you don’t, you’ll always regret it”
I know she’s right, I take a deep breath and head over
With a picture frame I just bought, my head lowered
As I get closer, I stick out my hand, it’s proven useless
We make eye contact, I sit thinking, ‘stupid! stupid!’
I nod once to Yolanda, she nods back with a smile
I glance at my idol, I’m sweating, acting like a child
I say, “It’s an honor sir, I think you’re the greatest”
He stares at the picture, I slide it across the table
He lifts the frame, I turn as Yolanda says something
And look back to see him blink and say… nothing
She takes his hand, he hands me back the portrait
I see him place a pen back in his jacket pocket
As Yolanda helps him up to leave, I sit for awhile
Then I look down at my hero in the
picture...
… and smile.
*Lines in
italics are comprised, and are variations of, actual quotes by Muhammad Ali.
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Shook
