Rewinding the Clock: A Masterclass in Poetic Storytelling

How do you tell the story of a dramatic life? Sometimes, you have to start at the end. Inspired by the narrative styling of hip-hop artists J. Cole and Nas, one of our talented students took on the challenge of writing a "reverse narrative" poem. Rather than telling a story from beginning to end, this piece rewinds time. Grounding their emulation in the highs and lows of world-class footballer Paul Pogba, the student crafted a five-stanza journey that moves backward from the pressures of global fame and controversy, ending on the pure childhood joy of the game. Read the incredible emulation and the student's thoughtful reflection below.

Rewinding the Game

A Song Emulation by John Wang

(Title added by Editor; originally untitled by John)

Rewinding the Game (Title added by Editor; originally untitled by John)

V1 
Stadium lights still shine, but I'm not there.
Crowd still chants, but it fades in air.
Headlines louder than the truth I know;
They read my name, but don't see my soul.

From World Cup gold to a tested fall,
Now it's empty training grounds and phone calls.
They debate my legacy like it's done, 
But pressure builds diamonds, or it makes you run.

V2
Injuries stacking like unpaid dues,
Body betrayed what the mind still knew. 
Whispers from blood that cut too deep,
Family wounds that the press gon’ keep.

Money changes rooms, it don’t change pain.
Brother’s words hit harder than a train.
When the world sees you as a headline star,
They forget how human your fractures are.

V3 
Back when the midfield bent to my will,
Step-over smooth, every touch was skill.
Russia nights, that trophy raised,
Whole world froze when the net got blazed.

Juventus black and white, the red in rain,
Every transfer tagged with a price and name.
They loved the flair, the dance, the dye,
But greatness always comes with an eye.

V4
Manchester youth with a point to prove:
They said, "Too raw." I said, "Watch me move."
Left for Turin to become a man;
Sometimes you leave to expand your plan.

No fame yet, just grind and grit,
Cold bus rides and aching shins.
Dream felt close, but miles away, 
Still, I trained like it's matchday.

V5
Before the deals and designer threads,
Before the critics and what they said,
Just a kid in Roissy with a ball at feet,
Concrete pitch turned royal seat. 

No sponsors, no global fame,
Just the joy in rhythm of the game.
Funny how life circles back again:
Strip it down, it's just you and the pen.

John's Reflection

For this emulation, I drew inspiration from J. Cole’s “The Fall Off Is Inevitable” (previously known as "Disc 2, Track 2" from his sneak peek at his rumored final project), a song that tells a life story in reverse. Cole himself was influenced by the storytelling tradition used by Nas in "Rewind," where an artist reflects on their life by moving backward through time rather than forward. I wanted to mirror that technique while grounding the story in the life of someone I admire: footballer Paul Pogba. This inclination came during early prep, when faced with a relatively uneventful sixteen years of my own, I decided that it made no odds compared to the dramatic rise and challenges of a world-class athlete. Because of that, Pogba’s story gave me a powerful subject to explore themes of fame, pressure, mistakes, and reflection. Like Cole’s track, the poem moves backward from a later stage of reflection toward earlier stages of ambition.

The first stanza focuses on the later stage of Pogba’s career, when his legacy is being questioned due to controversies and setbacks. This includes the difficult period surrounding his suspension after a failed drug test and the personal hurdles involving legal issues with his own brother. Rather than framing these moments as just scandals, I tried to capture the emotional weight of seeing a once-dominant athlete suddenly facing uncertainty. This mirrors Cole’s reflective tone when he battles the idea of decline in his own career. I wanted the stanza to emphasize the idea that greatness is fragile, especially when public perception starts to change.

The second stanza moves slightly backward into Pogba’s prime of his influence and ability. Here, I allude to his return to Manchester United and the high expectations put on him as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation. During this period, Pogba was both celebrated and heavily criticized. I wanted this stanza to capture the contrast between brilliance and pressure. In a way, it reflects the tension many athletes face when their talent is constantly criticized by fans, media, and teammates during their best years.

The third stanza continues backward to one of the defining highs of Pogba’s career: winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France’s national football team. This moment represents the height of his global recognition. In the poem, this stanza celebrates confidence and national pride, but it also hints at the fleeting nature of these times. Just as Cole reflects on his success while acknowledging how quickly it can fade, this part was aimed at showing how the greatest victories eventually become memories.

The last stanza moves all the way back to Pogba’s childhood and early dreams. I allude to his upbringing in France and his early love for football before fame and controversy entered his life. I ended the poem here because it reflected the structural influence of Cole’s storytelling approach. By finishing at the beginning of his journey, the poem reminds readers that every career starts with a simple passion. I also wanted to reinforce the idea that before trophies, criticism, and headlines, there was simply a young player chasing a dream.

Pogba’s career mirrors the themes present in Cole’s final work, especially the awareness that even the brightest careers eventually face an ending. By telling Pogba’s story backward, I wanted to show that behind every controversy or headline lies a longer journey that started with a mixture of hope, talent, and ambition.