I liked We Real Cool as well. The link to the poem provided in the assignment folder contained a recording of a reading by Brooks and before she reads, she speaks about the observations of young men at a pool hall that inspired the poem. I agree with your impression that the young men are filled with bravado, and yet face an uncertain future. I feel the poem holds true today as well and I will add it to my text list to share with students when they read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. The issue of poverty and effects on adolescents are often discussed when the book is read as a class.
