Local cutie and Frank Church High School student Burke Gamblin recently returned from Ethiopia after a 2 week trek in which he introduced skateboarding to villagers around the Country.
The fascinated people of Lalibela and Awassa were checking his shoes for magnets and inspecting his wheels and bearings for a tell-tale sign of trickery. Massive crowds of wide-eyed, calloused townsmen in tattered clothes would gather for an impromptu performance while laughter roared throughout the swarms of locals as brave villagers would endure an attempt on the blasted piece of wood on wheels.
Maybe skateboarders can change the world. Maybe skateboarding is what brings the world together.
Upon his return, 17 year old Burke put pen to paper and started a book of rhymes in order to process the experience. Below is one.
Life change smacks in the face
I used to think that more toys, the more joy
But little did I know I was just a boy
Wanting is what I should have made void.
But my vision was about to come to realization
When a trip to poverty would change my mental station
Cause I was about to have some serious elimination
This was no vacation.
What used to bring me sensation, came crashing down faster than the Nazi invasion.
Have you ever seen a 6 year old on his own?
Doing any type of work, to have food or a place called home?
So skinny, that thin skin, keeps from revealing his bones.
No Mom or Dad, just him alone.
Not even a hat to keep the sun burn from his dome.
The only family lives 6 ft under a tombstone.
Yes, it's obvious their life is crappy.
Then tell me this, why are they twice as happy?
As any rich American, who's got the house, Lexus and the pimped out Cadi
And the 3 spoiled kids, who all they have to say is "I want that Daddy".
So next time you're about to b*tch and moan
I want you to just try to recall all the sh*t that you own
And all your friends and your new sidekick phone.
When 10 cents can save a life and guarantee a smile
Look at your life, I guarantee you live in denial
If only greed could be put on trial.
(1-874-ur-ass is sued) would be dialed.
Because your happiness is so small, it could be defiled.
Alright, I'll tell you easy and slow, cause it's obvious you don't know.
Because your whining has been stockpiled. 1,2,3 stop.
You sound like a child.
Burke has been sponsored by Adio, Vans, Hurley and Kaos. He has skated with Tony Hawk, Shaun White, Bob Burnquist, Bucky Lasek, Buster Halterman, Pierre Luc Gagnon, Chris Miller and Danny Way in competitions such as The X Games and LG Manchester England Tournament. Local skateshop Newt and Harolds donated items for his trip to Ethiopia. And girlies - he's single. Mmmmhm. Let the rampage begin.
