Joseph C. McGowan Studio

45 Seconds to Glory

Ho Ho Joe McGowan

By Joseph McGowan

“Why do I do it?” you ask, well, let me tell you my story
of the good times, the bad times,
and what it takes for forty-five seconds of glory.

It started back in ‘95
when I first dreamed of being the NISS champ,
Dreamed of effortlessly flying through the air
as I carved up and down the ramp.

You see, I skate the half-pipe
and it makes me whole.
And for this, I sacrifice my body, sometimes leaving my blood
but I always leave a part of my soul.

My clothes are tattered from countless sessions
And my pads are worn and old.
My body is ravaged by countless falls
that over the years has begun to take their toll

You see, skating has become a part of me
And I must admit I do enjoy the show.
And I do it my way, and for that I was branded long ago.
That’s why they call me “Ho-Ho Joe.”

I’m not the best you’ve ever seen
or the best today you’ll be seeing.
But when I skate it’s from my heart
For I’ll give you every ounce of energy that makes up my being.

And on the day of the contest, as I’m standing on the ramp
they begin to count me in, in 3-2-1.
Everything I’ve ever dreamed of being and who I am today,
I’ll lay it on the line and I’ll roll like the dice for one more perfect run.

And if the ramp gets the best of me,
if to earth I tumble and fall,
I’ll pick up my tired body from the ramp
knowing I did the best I could, for I’ve given you my all.

You see I skate the half-pipe
for it makes me whole.
And for this I’m willing to sometimes leave my blood

But I always leave a part of my soul.