On Top of My Game expresses the type of woman that I'm looking for, and to get her, I feel like I have to be on top of my game. The type of woman that I would one day call my wife and raise a family with. Someone who I envision I will spend my life with and grow with. This book is a lot of me in many different ways, including being romantic, passionate, supportive, with God in the relationship, and going for the best while being the best. It talks about finding that perfect woman and being that perfect man for her. Doing what I need to do when the time comes. I feel like I need to constantly make myself better as I know she is doing the same. The thing is will I recognize her if she crossed my path, and will I have the state of mind to tell her that I am what she is looking for? In one of my poems, I talked about making myself ready not only for her but for myself. Praying and having faith will help me where I need to be. God already introduced me to what I'm looking for, so I know what to do in order for me not be derailed from my path. It's a must for me to stay on top of my game. This book is all me . . . all authentic.

On Top of my Game

By Johnny W. Jackson III

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Johnny W. Jackson III
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-1003-4

Contents

A Sista......................................3I Need.......................................5All in a Dream...............................7Beautiful Black Woman........................9Feelings on Paper............................11Can I........................................13Fall.........................................17That Feeling.................................19Empty........................................21Too Deep.....................................23The Sharpness of us..........................25Grade Love...................................27Come.........................................31Slow Storm...................................33Masterpiece..................................35My Other Half................................37Token........................................39Graffiti.....................................41Take Notes...................................45Thinking of You Often.....................47She Can Dance!...............................49The Wick.....................................51Pursue.......................................53I can't describe it..........................55Stone Park...................................59Wait for her.................................61Not so Ordinary..............................63Something Different..........................65Return the Favor.............................67On Top of my Game............................69Whatever it takes............................73Congested....................................75Endless Days.................................77On Top of my Game Remix......................79Rematch......................................81I Already Knew...............................83Supporting Cast..............................85

Chapter One

        A Sista

    I need a sista who is family but not blood
    A sista who shows you her world in her eyes.
    A sista who dreams of places to go that I only imagine about
    going.
    Telling her brother tales of her future and why the world is going
    to need her.
    A sista that has seen her brother before but hasn't met him until
    years later.
    One that knows her brother cares about her no matter how far
    they are apart.
    A sista that describes love as a "perfect timing"
    The timing is perfect because family finds each other.
    I need a sista who wants a brother to show her she is not alone in
    the world.
    A sista who likes family photos and sees herself smiling in each
    one.
    A sista who just wanted a brother to look after her and her heart.


        I Need

    I need that good love that strong love
    That Mary J. Blige I need to be happy love.
    I need that fire love that burns my heart as you keep on
    feeding me cupids arrow.
    I need that love that taste as good as grandma's tasty 7-up cake.
    Well not that good but something with both feet and a toenail in it.
    Not that skin deep love but let's just say did you ever hear that
    saying
    "When I cry you cry multiplied by two" why two?
    Because the world is what we see in our eyes and it takes two of us
    to help each other open them.
    I need that love girl, thats deep down in my soul that combines with me.
    Yeah that's what I need.


        All in a Dream

    Sitting here imagining you next to me
    wondering if these words leave footprints
    and not sketches in your heart.
    Looking at your eyes and how they match
    the tone of your smile.
    Holding you in my arms wishing this dream
    will last forever.
    Looking at how tasty your lips look and would
    you mind if I tasted them forever.
    Cuddling up feeling the embrace of my hugs.
    Will I ever get the chance to show you the true
    meaning of happiness?
    Seeing through the mist of the clouds holding hands
    going through life as one always putting you beside
    or above me and never below me. Shedding tears of joy every time
    we meet, showing you there is no one better.
    Knowing this girl brings something special to my heart
    and my life.
    Relieving you of all distractions only putting positive
    thoughts in your head and me at the same time.


        Beautiful Black Woman

    Beautiful black woman, my beautiful black woman
    Queen of my soul
    The one I live for and the one I put first
    Mother of my heart and my constant everything
    Pretty deep coconut eyes and honey tasting skin
    Ebony essence
    The one I must hear and see to breathe
    The one I must have
    Tear drop smile
    Romantic thoughts are forever with me and you
    The faith that maybe I can hold her one day and forever
    Two people two minds
    One love
    Testimony of my beautiful black woman


        Feelings on Paper

    Watching TV as it watches me.
    Sitting here writing on paper telling it
    everything I want it to know.
    Slow dancing with my feelings as it
    walks around you, as she is a part of my world.
    Each day we step into a new kind of love but
    instead of going with the song her name is now my last.


        Can I

    Where should I start?
    Can I walk with you to class?
    I'll carry your books as you hold my words.
    A statement that was prepared at sight and conceived with thy eyes.
    Only difference is when I give your books back I still have your
    heart which I'm keeping.
    Can I open the door for you? Are you in?
    I'm talking about my mind, Are you in?
    Can I pay for the meal?
    I know I don't have to ask but independence is written all over
    your attitude
    and that's why I researched, looked up and approached that line.
    That line of you not having to settle.

Chapter Two

        Fall

    I wonder why they call this season fall
    Is it because of the leaves falling or us watching it fall together
    The temperature is falling but not before you start liking me
    Holding your face against mine
    Are you still red in the face?
    Look at the sky the clouds are moving with us
    Does that mean were getting closer to marriage or separation?
    Each day brings one or the other closer
    Are you ready for it?
    The air is falling on us, take cover because each breath
    brings a longer journey of walking and then sprinting
    The wind is pushing us this way does that mean were suppose
    to fall this way or naturally?
    I still like this season even if fall is two steps away


        That Feeling

    The feeling of being loved is like no other.
    It's the sound of a drummer loosening up in your heart.
    Together the thought of sharing worlds follow us,
    not knowing that we live in the same one.
    My poem is your dream, so does it make it mine too?
    The only feeling that surrounds you when you see me is
    the growth of me and the stars that are below me.
    Waking up to it and praising it.
    The feeling that stays at its peak and I still have
    to climb it even higher just to show off.
    If you're smiling now, I guarantee you will be when I jump down.
    I know nothing intimidates your path but the next level. I mean't
    the one with me.


        Empty

    A pretty girl stood in front of me and I let her get away.
    I traveled to see her thru the toll, but I never had exact change.
    A girl that should receive happiness but doesn't.
    I pray everyday that she does, months overlap and so do my words.
    Low self-esteem followed and I had to scratch thru the braids.
    Ten is the proper word to call her and I was too slow on giving
    those given
    reasons.
    Mailed but not sealed the words leaked out on its destination.
    Who makes her feel this way?
    A girl that criticizes herself to bring herself down.
    I tell myself that isn't real and I won't believe it.
    Her compliments come from me, a friend, one person looking
    through the back window of an outside family.
    Flowers that she receives and a reaction she is not sure to take.
    I was trying to help strengthen her mind and I was taken out of hers.
    My best friend, who made me see a ten, the first double-digit number
    and the last one I met.
    The one who had all my numbers and memories had made our
    relationship a memory.
    I have run on empty with no more memories to create in this
    indescribable friendship.


        Too Deep

    Hold my hand and crawl with me.
    What is the possibility of this relationship?
    Maybe we can grow into an inseparable romance.
    Reality has no boundaries.
    Let's talk about why we are here ... and where we can go.
    Thoughts of us become new subjects to the world.
    Look outside our kingdom is waiting for us.
    It's the year of raining smiles.
    When I'm here happiness is unlimited.


        The Sharpness of us

    My heart has spoken ... The sum of it all
    is the sky is falling in your hands.
    Maybe that's why I feel the embrace of it.
    Just last year we met in that vacant season.
    The mind of being God's son.
    You don't have to pay the toll,
    it's already taking its task. Damn we created
    a monster. Between us it's more like it never
    rains on our parade.
    Remember today friend's becoming the best of us.
    The theory of smiling cooked with a pinch of tucking you in through
    tomorrow, which becomes today and then tomorrow again.
    I guess the world has found its peace right here.
    No put your hand here ... yea right there.


        1st Grade Love

    What you thought a Romeo can't start at an early age?
    She was a quiet pretty girl, with a big smile. Talking usually ends in
    a hug and a kiss goodbye. Taking her out was seeing her at school,
    like the classroom to be exact; and let me tell you I was too faithful
    to my class.
    We told each other that love was in the air and we started breathing
    it in.
    Now it hits the heart. Touching and kissing with recess in mind.
    That was our thing under the bridge. We didn't know what we
    were doing.
    We were having school ourselves. Writing notes that ended in crooked
    words that we learned that day.
    Our body language took over and those words came... "I love you," and
    we did to a first grader's point of view, right behind candy and
    chocolate milk.

Chapter Three

        Come

    The water is over our head
    shall we move or lay in the fall of it.
    The sprouting of a new forest,
    you know our backyard the one
    we grew up in.
    The thought of slamming the door
    of our new house, not yet our home
    until we seal it with a few more slams.
    This ring I share with you and the kiss that seals it with my breath.

    Come to me ... I can't keep these thoughts
    to myself. I want you
    close. They say a scent is airborne and that
    I can't see it. I don't agree.
    Why ... what does love smell like?
    I guess it depends on what you think it is.
    I can smell it from across the room, and
    your eyes just signed off on that.
    Come and live the same prayer with me.
    It's just my thoughts waiting for my eyes to open ... come and
    help me see it.


        Slow Storm

    The water is un-breathable and
    the shower is underneath my head.
    If you saw a puddle on a sidewalk
    with my reflection, would you like to know
    how deep it is.
    Jump in ... it was your moisture from your thoughts
    of me. The fog is growing in the air and the
    dampness of it appears on my lips,
    my hand ... my skin. Fog is everywhere and
    since you created it, my lips is the first thing
    you thought of. The smooth rain takes our breath away.
    It's been going on for about a day now ... that day feels
    like today.
    Stay for the storm and the drizzle
    and I'll bring the thunder and lightning.
    It's more than a change of weather.
    Every time you come around I can do that ... now are you glad the
    weather man told you not to bring an umbrella.
    Come I'll hold you through this storm, fast or slow, steady or light.


        Masterpiece

    Make-up and the smell of natural beauty,
    the beginning of my selfishness mixed
    with the pursuit of my second happiness.
    The dime that someone dropped and the
    same one that I stepped under.
    You asked me why ... answer of confetti
    Hold this bond and watch it grow over me.
    This is too real, playground dreams that
    only a few get to experience.
    Maybe that's why I fell on one knee that night
    and we're here now and tomorrow.
    The steps that became leaps of joy,
    so while I'm running I'll grab that picture
    for our living-room that I promised you along
    with that same feeling from that white winter
    day we met. So the smell of natural beauty without make-up
    because nothing about her is made up ... its all true.


        My Other Half

    The reflection of my heart is standing outside the mirror
    my christian sister with the same father.
    Honestly I knew you were here,
    I just didn't know when I was going to touch you
    outside of the family reunion.
    A feeling of being born, but it's not a sight for
    sore eyes but more like a swan for a dove's beauty.
    The thing that matters most in the beginning of the
    relationship and the harder it can get if we allow others to lift up
    our bond.
    Our connection is too strong ... my other half
    the other side of my hand and my heart. You look at half and see
    the presence of both.


        Token

    The toll ... I paid it ever since I found you.
    I should have had an I pass, but I did not know I would keep
    passing through here for you.
    I passed the toll many times and I was wondering if
    I was going to cross your path.
    No accident on me being here at different skies of the year.
    I am like a man of much strength and when it comes to you
    I feel like me carrying the world is not enough.
    Take this token, pocket it and never spend outside of the
    toll is what she told me. Look this way ... each time you see
    my teeth you know I'm here for you. Next time you
    will see even more teeth. I always keep it real
    the only game I play is trying to make it to your heart without
    pressing continue.
    One of the pawns told me how to get next to the queen and
    I will ... now king me and lets go get something to eat. This day I
    stood beside you and offered you a
    token of my heart, along with a cloud. All you have to do is feel it
    up with things that we can do.


        Graffiti

    I spray paint our name all over the town with our faith,
    our faith of growing and symbolizing why we are here.
    This time next week the bridges and trains have all been
    spray painted, the world has to know about us right ... I get mail
    from across the world ... I guess my message has gotten to them.
    Graffiti the power of words, that's almost like
    saying bloody-mary three times in the mirror.
    Say it ... I dare you. I sprayed it with a can on this day
    and she signed it with hand prints on that day.
    Graffiti has multiple feelings, mostly on the inside of our house.
    Trust me we didn't just move in it ... It's all on the floor and
    bedroom. Wait ... you get the idea. I've been after her since
    I knew I had the power to leave it all over town. Last week next
    month I guarantee Graffiti was on my mind.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from On Top of my Gameby Johnny W. Jackson III Copyright © 2012 by Johnny W. Jackson III. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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