Below is the mantra These Are My Skates created by Coach Handsome of Aloha City Rollers roller derby league. This poem is adapted from the This Is My Rifle mantra in the movie Full Metal Jacket. Handsome required all new skaters learn and recite the mantra in front of teammates. The mantra is used to drill into new recruits that they must care for and respect the tools that enable them to be a roller derby badass.

These Are My Skates

These are my skates
There are many like them
But these are MINE
My skates, without me, are useless
Without my skates, I am useless
My skates are human because they are my life
I will learn their weakness, strengths and parts
I will keep my skates clean and ready
We will become part of each other
I WILL BE A DERBY BADASS!