The Crossover

At first

I didn’t like

the name

because so many kids

made fun of me

on the school bus,

at lunch, in the bathroom.

Even Mom had jokes.

It fits you perfectly, Josh, she said:

You never clean your closet, and

that bed of yours is always filled

with cookie crumbs and candy wrappers.

It’s just plain nasty, son.

But, as I got older

and started getting game,

the name took on a new meaning.

And even though I wasn’t into

all that jazz,

every time I’d score,

rebound,

or steal a ball,

Dad would jump up

smiling and screamin’,

That’s my boy out there.

Keep it funky, Filthy!

And that made me feel

real good

about my nickname.