The 12th Round

**This is an old one about a fight I had. I made a sequel to it because the fight continues. Let me know what you think of them both. Thanks!**

I was so confident when I stepped into the ring, I thought I'd knock him out within 30 seconds of the ding, thinking bout that prize money, my new favorite phrase was "ching ching!" Came out swinging, jabs, hooks, crosses, & haymakers, landed them all with full power, now I'm thinkin see you later...You're a bum, you can't beat the Champ, I'm not even tired, thank God for that fitness camp. You swing once the entire round, I dodged it crazy, total I landed on ya grill about 80. My corner tells me to keep it up, I'm the Champ & I shouldn't be wasting time on this chump.

Ding! Second round's started, I got new tactics to show that you're outclassed & outsmarted. I dance a lil' bit to get you watchin my feet, then I uppercut you & knock out two of your teeth. As I back up waiting for the ref to stop the fight, I look at your face & see no mark or blood in sight. I'm thinkin, "Damn, you got a strong chin..", but I know your face should be jacked up, I hit you with more than 80, you should be bloody, or I must be crazy. I shrug it off & get back to work, I smirk as I rattled off my jab and watched your head jerk. I decide I'm done playing & I give you the punch that has earned me not one loss, that's known as the Murderous Right Cross. Your head snaps with a fierce ferociousness, I know it went down your spine, giving you scoliosis. Instead you put up your guard & move in a way which is far from graceful, I'm trippin' cuz I hit you with my strongest punch & it did not phase you.

Ding! End of the round, obviously mine, scorecard's in my favor, corner's sayin I'm wastin my time. They rub me down & hydrate me, I lose focus & admire the card girl's booty girating. My trainer smacks me to get me back on track, in the back of my mind something's throwing me out of whack. I hit you with my BEST & you weren't even stunned, then I realize that in this fight you've only thrown a punch, only ONE. I start to think more but I'm interrupted by the Ding!

Now I comtemplate on how much more pain I'll bring. Uppercut, jab, cross, hook, dancing, taunting, I got you shook. Then I look at you & you STILL aren't bleeding, hitting you all night, but you still aren't weakening. Rounds, 5,6,7,8,9 & 10 were all the same, I pulled out the arsenal & your face shows not a single change.

Ding! 11...almost done, I'm sick of beating you, it's no longer fun. I decide I'll switch it up, I knee you as hard as I can in your nuts. NO emotion, not ONE cringe, I'm baffled cuz instead of grimacing, you actually grin! One minute left in the round, you're no competition so I let my guard down. 42 seconds left & I hear this sound, a loud whizzing & I'm wondering what it is, next thing I know I'm collapsing. On the mat gasping for air, I'm known for taking punishment to the body, so why'd you hit me there? At the count of 9 I'm on my feet, pissed I almost let myself get beat. I'm sitting in the corner reflecting on the sound I heard, I'm usually talkative, now I'm not saying a word...It hits me, the sound was your fist slicing through the air, no more being cocky, now I care.

Ding! 12th round begins, before I take one step, you're in my face with that grin! Two more body shots, a cross, & an uppercut that hit my eye and had it wide shut. Knocked down, I get up, body shots make me hiccup, I can see my endorsers no longer wanting my business. 10 seconds left I don't know if I'll win the decision, but I have to!! I fought you with such precision. 1 second left & the hardest blow I've ever felt hits my mind, all this time I was fighting to increase my shine....it is in pain in which the beast revels, I'm not God, so what chance do I have of beating the devil?

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

The Finisher { Pt. II of The 12th Round }

****If you haven't read the 12th Round then you'll ruin the story! lol Check that Joint out first then read this one. It's like seein Godfather II before seeing The Godfather, it just doesn't make sense... Let me know what you think!****

I figured it out! The past few rounds all I was trying to do was hit you hard hit you quick, leave you with a split lip & a sore disposition. Now it all makes sense, that’s what you need, you need vanity, you need arrogance, you need ego’s strength, but I won’t fight with ego anymore I’ll give you what you don’t have a lot of… time. See you know you’re gonna lose in the end so you pick the best to fight against so you can coerce them to see things your way, but see now that I know what it is, this was never a fight this was only foreplay.

You’re good at what you do I’ll give you that, look at me playin’ devil’s advocate. Unlike Keanu I won’t pop my melon, instead I’ll do what I should have done rounds ago, let my complete attack start gellin’. Don’t think of cosby only pay attention to the fact that you can’t stop me. See I told a person I would give her my best & she asked was that all I could give. I said yea cuz my opponent couldn’t beat me to the point where I didn’t wanna live. You’re nothing but a piece of gum, a soda that’ll lose it’s fizz after too long, you’re not important like a long forgotten song. You’re the disgruntled employee mad cuz you couldn’t do the job like the boss could, you’re a waste of time & I wonder if I should…

Ding! You’re pissed now, you come out swingin’, I weave it barely, singed the hair off my skin, like a woman’s legs you naired me. Look at me crackin jokes while I’m in the fight of my life. You feint one punch & come with an uppercut but your arm falls limp when I hit you with the right cross that swells your eye shut. What’s wrong, you were so passive when you knew you had it in hand, but now you run around furiously like the cops are chasing you for possession of contraband. If you had paid attention you would see my wristband said champion, while yours says “dismal comparison”. I add a left hook for good measure, the round ends & I sit in the corner with a great feeling of pleasure. You look me dead in the eyes & show me that smile, I guess to throw me off, I respond with the wink & the gun & that really pisses you off, all bets are off, you charge at my corner miss me with a kick, I should have known when you start losing you’d cheat like a bitch.

Ding! The bitch line was not referring to women, but you are PMS’n right about now, supposed to be in control of so many so when you can’t control one you act like you do right now.

See you’ve been figured out I told you in the intro, but since you wanna really bang, I’ll up the tempo, change the crescendo, make this beat down classic like duckhunt on Nintendo, make it suspenseful, embarrass you in front of your kinfolk, if you were so certain of victory why you toy with the shit for? You ain’t a baby so why you spittin’ boi? I guess it’s cuz of the rapid successive shots to your sternum, but hey when you got a fiery opponent, this is what I always do, burn em…

You drop to one knee & for a split second I feel superior, that’s all you needed to penetrate my seemingly fortress exterior. I respect your power but I don’t fear it, you got me good & it seems to through… Ding!
Shocked? Now you know JioVanni has more fight in him than that, or didn’t you? It’s funny how upset you are that you’re not the victor, but I mean come on… you call that a finisher??

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

Kanyeezy Arrested?

I got word from my girl that Kanye was arrested! I was like "yea right, not him. he doesn't seem the type to get into trouble." Then I saw it on MySpace & MediaTakeout.com so I knew it was true and on top of that there was video footage which you should be able to see below barring they don't take it off the internet for copyright purposes...

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4r75ERMR4c&feature=related

I mean it was wrong for Kanye to do that, but I mean as a celebrity sometimes you get sick of people being in your face. That's the price you pay for fame. You become subject to lies, scandal, and public ridicule all at the hands of the paparazzi.

Before you judge him or think he is crazy think about his life. He just lost his mother who was his drive and who believed in his goal to make it in the music business when he didn't..."..me and my momma hopped in that uhaul van.."

I mean not even a year has passed and I can't recall him slowing down at all to mourn. I mean he immediately went on stage broke down on the performance of "Hey Mama". Then a few weeks later he made it through it. Then he launched the Glow In The Dark Tour. He hasn't let it hit him or he's trying to stay busy. People talk about his look with the beard and the hair and how his new single is strange. Now you got the incident that happened at the airport. He's clearly hurting so just pray for the guy who stays using a teddy bear as his logo! lol

Stay strong Ye!

Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

Love Me { Video Version }

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

That Kind of Man

I want to be the kind of man that makes women smile, not cuz of his slick tongue or ability to get their feminine wiles. I want to be the kind of man that makes you smile, simply cuz you know I'm crazy for argyle. I spaz for it, if I see it I adore it, if you with me and you see it, buy it, I shouldn't have to ask for it..Jus kidding, I'd rather treat, and before I disrespect you, I'd rather we didn't speak. I want to be the kind of man that's 100% independent, in the political arena I'm not a demo or a rep I'm independent. I want to be that kind of man that ladies love, not cuz of my looks, but the appreciation I have for what God made me capable of. I want to be that kind of man that looks out for others and treats his own enemies like his brothers.

I want to be that kind of man that makes big money, but with or without it my disposition is still sunny. I want to be that kind of man who is never quick to judge, and who can still love my wife even if she develops a pudge. I want to be that kind of man that calls you to say nothing, I know what I had to say was important but your sweet voice always makes me forget something. I want to be that kind of man that Jesus describes, asking similar questions like, "Who do you think that I....am?"

It's amazing that the kind of man I want to be involves more pain than a visectomy. I want to be that kind of man who isn't defined by his sexual prowess, or moves out of the country to live in a palace. I want to be that kind of man who trusts his woman completely, knowing she is the thing God sent to complete me. She's much more than a thing though, but to convey all her positives and keep this to rhyme, I'd have to speed up the tempo. Just so you know I have no dream girl, the girl God sends is the one in my world. I'm single not cuz I'm playin the field, it's jus for so long I been pushing 100 when God has been simply saying "yield." I use to define myself by who was on my arm, sorta like the rappers define themselves with their charm. I used to define myself by people's opinions of my poetry, now I'm like a duck your negativity will jus flow from me.

I never understood why people would thank their haters, now I know, it's because they elevate you higher than any of our skyscrapers. I want to be that kind of man that doesn't please others to get recognition; I simply want to do it because that's my heart condition. I heard that God knows the true you, so what if that means your idol is more evil than you? I want to be that kind of man that doesn't assume the worst, I wouldn't have to if I put God first. I want to be that kind of man that slow to jump into the fray, even though my temper is hotter than Pompeii. But hey, time to cut this short, and if you didn't know I'm one of God's cohorts. I fulfill some of these qualities in that kind of man, but I'll indulge you like Jesus indulged his punishers by asking, "Who do you say that I am?"

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

What If?

Well I feel like addressing myself, you and anyone I missed, so I have a few questions for you...

What if you reached the pinnacle of success, what would you do with it? Would you use it for good, or an easy opportunity to hit? Can you ever be satisfied, or even if you had everything, would you still grind? Cold you realize that you can't take it with you, or would you feel lost if you had to live simple? Are you a gangsta who likes to clock, and proves his manhood with a glock, and wats in your sock? Are you a sexy woman who has brains and smarts, but limits yourself to spreadin ur legs in parks? Did you have a baby too soon, and decided to strip, do you have a quick temper and won't take any lip?

To the gangsta, what if your actions got your own people killed, would you then be better equipped to spread good will? What if your mom saw your dirt in the street, would you then be more compelled to keep it discreet? What if the reason you carry a gun is because you scared to square up cuz you might run? What if the whole world gave you respect, would you still have put down his throat that tech? What if your sister acted like the girls you mess with, would you then finally learn your lesson? What if you had to live like the crackheads you sell dope to? Would that change your mind and have you feelin remorseful?

What if you got shot and paralyzed permanently, would you then feel bad for all those people you sent to surgery? What if you caught feelings for a girl, and your enemy took her from this world? Would you rally a death squad to get revenge, or would you one by one take from the crackheads that syringe? What if you met God today, would you get on ur knees and begin to pray? Would it take you back to many of your victims who did it? Would you remember how you laughed cuz you were so sadistic? What if you meant to do something more with your life, you'll never know. What if you got killed in the crossfire, where would you go?

To the stripper, what if I told you that your body is God's and no else's, would you take the man who show a pic of your chest and tells his boy "yea I felt this." What if your family saw your night career, would you freeze up like headlights were shined and you were a deer? What if your son said hey that's my mom, would you regret doin that deed after prom?

What if your son ended up in a hearse, would you then see the true value of what strippin is worth? Yes I know your favorite color is green, but what if I told you, you're livin out the devil's dream? What if you woke up after weeks of eatin a lot, and realize your strippin career is shot? Would you cry many tears, or would you be woman enough to ask for help from your peers? What if you go home and a regular follows you home, would you wonder what the hell is going on? What if I told you you are adding to their fantasy, and it is to the tune of the devil to which you are dancing? What if tonight was your last night on the pole, would you feel as unwanted as a badly placed mole? What if you quit now would it be so bad, or are you scared that you'll have more fun than you ever had?

To the reader of this poem. What if you saw my gift, and decided with you and yours you need to shorten the rift? What if the girl/guy you secretly like, is not conceited but really iight? What if that boss that gets on your case, is not a jerk but jus testin you to see if you deserve a bigger space? What if you have to stay up late and study for a test, but a friend calls for you to go out, and that causes mental unrest. What if that professional athlete you love, took performace enhancers to do things he/she were never capable of? What if you were a constant distributor like Jordan, instead of may NBA players whose best skill is hoardin? What if you played the game and only worried about wat was fundamental, instead of breakin someone's ankles and sayin it was accidental?

What if you are black and liked rock, would you be scared to admit it, because of the possible culture shock? What if you were white and like rap, would you not fess up to it cuz many of your people are not used to that? What if you went to see a chick flick with your lady/guy of interest, would you be nervous if ya friends saw you there and asked who is this? What if you had a secret love affair, but when you both are in public, you act as if no feelings are there? What if you are married and your husband is unfaithful, why do you allow that behavior which is obviously disgraceful? What if you stood up for your rights and thought it was ok for blacks to be with whites, would you be scared to say it cuz sometime the truth bites? What if you wanted to apologize to the kid you used to pick on, but you're scared so you just assume they moved on. What if you closed your eyes and finally began to see, that is nothing wrong with being who you want to be.

To the writer of this poem...What if it all ended today, what would you imagine people would say? What if you loved yourself wholly for the first time, and turn poetry into your dream to rhyme? What if people said you seem arrogant, would you turn the other cheek, or let your disdain be apparent? What if you used your mind like you always could, would you be afraid of lettin down the hood? What if you take pics cuz you really feel slightened, and your fear of rejection over the years has been hightened? What if God came and said it's ok, would you readily throw the punk devil out ya way? What if you dreamed of rockin the heads of billions, but are scared of venturin beyond pavilions?

What if you don't let people in cuz last time you got punched, and if you got hit again it may be too much? What if on the low you wanna be a playa, but know you can't cuz it aint in ya nature? What if you don't want to lean wit it and rock wit it, would you be afraid to tell them to put a sock in it? What if you don't relate to women well, if conversation was poker would be your tell? What if every girl's perception of you when they saw you was that you're gettin some, but in actuality you're getting none? What if they then thought you had no game, you then answer with or without it you're still the same? What if no one really understands the monicker JioVanni, and they don't get that it was made as a method so no one would stop me? What if your family thinks ur anti-social, and tellin them your feelings is non-negotiable. What if you never practice poetry or anything like it, but jus up and one night decided to write it?

What if more girls like you than you could ever know, but you ask silly questions at times that makes you appear slow? What if you wanna say things but hold them back, because you fear a harsh verbal attack? What if with all the issues you have you choose to procrastinate, because you KNOW you can be great? What if you had moods swings and people think it's for no reason, but it's really cuz inside you are screamin. What if you took the approach to life, and didn't get so consumed with strife? What if you let it all be known to another, and forgave your mother, sister, and brother? What if your mother died today, and God gave you a second chance, what would you say, would you let the devil win and fill you with dismay, or say hey mom it's your baby? What if the slanted eyes are really slits into your world, but are often mistaken to be sexy to girls?

What if your lips are as big as your heart, but for someone to reach it is a shot in the dark. What if you stimulate more minds than you know, but STILL are afraid to blow, are you willing to let this thing go, when you have wonderful role models like Maya Angelou? Now....what if you looked in the mirror and quit with the pretend, you said I love you and let the dream begin. What if you thought quicker than the fastest corvette, and your mind was sharper than a mach jet? What if it's hard to believe from your swagger, that you used to work for kroger as a bagger. What if you, yes YOU reading this poem, said at my funeral I was so glad to know him...

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni

Dreamin' { Video Version }

Dreamin'

Dreamin'

Dreamin of a place where I don't sin,

Dreamin of a place so peaceful I easily grin,

Dreamin of a place not rampant with jealousy,

Dreamin of a place where we can say fella not followed by the ny,

Dreamin of a place where women shake off negativity instead of clothes,

Dreamin of when our women act like women instead of hoes,

Dreamin of a place where men don't hold the double standard,

Treatin her like Rudolph while you're the late night Prancer,

Dreamin of a bed that doesn't hurt my back, & also of a world that cuts me slack,

Dreamin of a world where my friends understand why I've been incognito, dreamin that they kno no matter what they still my people,

Dreamin when these weights won't be so heavy,

Dreamin the rain never lets up, it keeps comin steady,

Dreamin where there is no possibility of a dead end, but wait, there I go dreamin again...

**Fueled by passion, driven by pain before I die the world will know my name**

- JioVanni