In Regards to Swagger

"Swagger", "swag"...what is it? How do we obtain it? Is it naturally occuring? Genetic, or hereditary? And how did that become so important?

At six feet, two hundred and change, I gotta keep my posture straight;
check myself in the mirror before I leave the confines of my gates;
I wear my fitted different,
and that's the beginning of the hate.
I'm not affiliated with the underworld; but damn ya man's cold,
google me for free and you'll see that I ain't ever sold....
one bit of my soul, 'cause I love myself.
I speak clear with no confusion, wish I could hold my breath;
but come death I'll leave it up to the next man,
half these men can't fit the shoes, you can tell by how they shake hands
you gotta grip hard, eye contact when you state facts;
and that's all you should ever state, man, and never take it back.
I guess I wear mine on my sleeve like I do my heart;
'cause one slip of the tongue can tear your world apart,
and I've been known that a sword couldn't kill a bard....
maybe it's the reason why I inhale deep, then I ex- hard.
My spot isn't concrete, I think I feel some quicksand....
seen the most fly dudes get eaten up right where they stand,
and I'll be God damned,
he sent me here, so here I am...
if you thought about me different, do yourself a favor and think again....
my swag....

Author's Note

This is definitely a draft; still a work in progress....I just wanted to get some out real quick.

Reviews

[☮]

As a man with similar interactions from the day to day, I must concur with everything you've stated here. It's funny, because I was just discussing the idea and importance of swagger in today's society. It's an unspoken gift. There's no definition for it... it's just there. And it can make you successful and at the same time get you killed. But then again... I feel bad for the person who doesn't have it.

This hit me. Sounds like what my pops told me:
"half these men can't fit the shoes, you can tell by how they shake hands
you gotta grip hard, eye contact when you state facts; "

Keep firing!

[Xeru]

This was real and gangsta at the same time. Most of the time swag comes off as overcomp but with you its just clearly stating the facts. And that is felt in every line read. So much props to my brother holding his spot as a Man and not relinquishing it for ANYTHING. Great piece fam. This could be the type of piece every man should wake up and quote to himself before runs out in the world were they want to twist your priorities and principles and make you what they want out of you. Good s**t keep'em comin fam.

[J. Hampton]

Not a "Me" "My" thing...but
confidence incarnate !!
Kudos ...

"and that's all you should ever state, man, and never take it back.
I guess I wear mine on my sleeve like I do my heart;
'cause one slip of the tongue can tear your world apart, (((love the mess outta that )))))))
and I've been known that a sword couldn't kill a bard.... ((( and thissssssssss )))
maybe it's the reason why I inhale deep, then I ex- hard. "

~~~~~~ (((((( "he sent me here, so here I am... " )))))) OH YES HE DID !!!!

like my husband has said in more than one rhyme " I'm not cocky I'm confidant "...I know that I can ...
Got god workin' in us ...more than a man .

Blesssssssssss

[BEEGE]

Good Stuff Man!!
That line, "you gotta grip hard, eye contact when you state facts;
and that's all you should ever state, man, and never take it back," is
my fav from this peice. A lot of truth is spoken there, and a lesson that everybodys
parents should have taught them. Sad thing is, most people dont have the marbles to
stand by what they say and will change it quick to please somebody or to look better
for people they think are friends.
Good Stuff!

[Kat Williams]

I hate a weak handshake from a man or woman.

Love the honesty of this line

My spot isn't concrete, I think I feel some quicksand....
seen the most fly dudes get eaten up right where they stand,

[Constance]

Sometimes just letting it out makes a stronger, more poignant piece than any amount of careful thought and editing ever could. I rarely edit my poetry, even those done in a classical form. If it doesn't just flow... I let it go. And often I look at something and think, "That's crap. I should toss it.." but I've learned to share them anyway, because there is always someone who appreciates and can relate. When we write a poem, if we are passionate and open people, we are reminding others what it is to be human. It's important, and what keeps me writing even when I feel for a moment like perhaps I'm wasting my time. We ALL belong, and nothing can remind of that like poetry can. I hope that even if you edit you still keep this version up. It's a great write.
Your poem spoke to me of where you feel you fit into the grand scheme of things, and how you see yourself as opposed to how others see you, and I know that many will relate, and even I do, at points.

"eye contact when you state facts;
and that's all you should ever state, man, and never take it back.
I guess I wear mine on my sleeve like I do my heart;
'cause one slip of the tongue can tear your world apart,
and I've been known that a sword couldn't kill a bard....
maybe it's the reason why I inhale deep, then I ex- hard. "
I think you meant it's been known that a sword couldn't kill a bard?

Anywho, I relate completely with the lines I quoted, because I have this fatal flaw... I can't be phony, because I hate it when other people are. So I don't give empty compliments, I share my honest thoughts, and I have a hard time holding my tongue when things are sick. My openness never wins me any female friends, most other women find me to be a crude b***h... because I can't do their shallow conversation. Men? Men usually like me, yes. But as you get older, if you are attractive, having platonic male friends becomes hard. But I am who I am, and I am not going to bend to fit in... I'd rather be the lonely lady who states facts and can look others and herself in the eye than the socialite who puts on a different face for every person she walks up to. And all the swords in the world couldn't kill my spirit. So amen!

[Jennifer Ryan]

I definitely would love to see some elaboration here. I think you did a fantastic job of expressing how important it is for people to have their persona's reflecting a strong personality. Often we have to change our selves for every different situation. How we are at work is different than how we are home. In this day and age predators of all sorts lurk around every corner and whether we like it or not we have to be on our guard. Excellent job.

[Rain]

Growing up, I've been told by more than a few white friends that I walk too slow. Only speaking in general here, many of my brothers walk like their late. I always like to walk slow..my shoulders back, make eye contact. I hate seeing cats walk like their head is in a race with their feet..and the head is winning. I have this definition of class and style. Class is what you say when your talking...style is what you say when you're walking. Style is the first thing people see, so I agree.."swag" is important. Good piece about a subject seldom talked about. Rain..

[Ivory]

I was really feeling this piece.. ; )
It seem a person has to have that certain something, a presence that commands attention and respect.
In this world, if you lack that "swagga" your gonna get played in more ways than one.