Exposed

Million Dollar Answer

The million dollar answer

The beating question to a specific cancer

Finding a way to speak from the heart

The feeling has been there since the start

In the summer my heart use to melt

Because she never knew how I felt

Now I’m wondering who gets your love

Does anybody take you on flight with the doves?

Lost in my thoughts

Lord where have I been caught

A rock and hard place

My heart against the world it’s race

The memories forever hit like wind hitting chimes

I never thought any moment with her was wasted time

I been down many paths before

But I’ve never felt this way in my core

I use to think I shouldn’t catch feelings

Then God showed me the meaning

How to love?

The feeling of God’s love.

Perfect Fits

Let’s be honest

I’m just trying to be modest

Ever since I heard your name

And since the first time we met I put that memory in a frame

I never knew feelings could be complicated

I’m just hoping the energy can be replicated

Last night I had a dream of us walking on a white sandy beach

Even in my dreams God seems to try to teach

But the skies above were laced with doves

The sun rays felt like an unfamiliar love

Watching the waves crash across our feet

Just speaking the truth to you would be an amazing feat

Looking into your eyes is easy

I just want to be real and not cheesy

Sooner or later I’ll speak with you about it

I’m just puzzled if my place in your life will be a perfect fit.

Liquor & Misunderstanding

Last night my thoughts were freestanding

All because of the liquor and misunderstanding

A couple of things I’ve been keeping bottled up

A certain presence can make me shut up

It only takes one world to slip out of my mouth

My stomach dropped down to the Deep South

I probably lost my mind

After it’s gone it becomes hard to find

The nectar digs out the deepness thoughts

I’m trying not to get caught

But lately I haven’t said anything

Dreams of being on bended knee with a diamond ring

Lord my mind wants to sing

The heartbeat in my chest has its ping

Everything is going off

The lights won’t shut off

One night with the room spinning might not be as bad

After all it might make us all glad.

 Things Change

Trying to reach God but my faith was out of range

This shaking feeling within shook like pocket change

I barely keep the lights on

The weigh on my shoulders feels like a ton

Wondering if I can be the same person they feel for

The feeling of failure is hitting at my core

Walking in the footprints of my ancestors

I remember trying to get pass the long semesters

Years later I’m still learning

The feeling of success remains churning

I use to think the times would never change

The worst feeling I’ve felt has been not going to La Grange

Such a heavy burden

But in my heart is where the love occurred in.

Catching Fire

I know my zest for life is catching fire

Greatest story ever told with no intent to retire

God has everything going good

My faith has withstood

Even when I was knocked down on my knees

I never forgot he paid the price and our fees

Our admission

Speaking to God we sometimes make omissions

Like he didn’t know us before we knew ourselves

Unbound but put together by blood, sweat and tears we were taken off of the shelves

I’m deeper than before because of that

Now my feet feel welcome every time I cross the promise land’s welcome mat.

Young. Black. Gifted.

This moment in my life has shifted

God made me young, black and gifted

His presence made me comfortable

Even doing times of feeling uncomfortable

I felt like I was losing my grip

I was taught to tie up loose ends since people sometime trip

I wish life was as simple

On bended knee with God in his holy temple

Living freely under those heavenly stars

The feeling of greatness to me means being more than subpar

Everyday feels like Christmas

I found out during my journey of faith I could go the distance

I know God felt the resistances

I wanted to follow my heart versus the stars

A kind of burning in my chest

My mind was in its own unrest

Trying to remain against the grain

Only my tears at that moment acted as the rain

Deep down my thoughts helped me move comfortably

Everything done was purposely

The feeling of greatness can be replicated

Even when my life can be fairly complicated.

Traveler’s Rest

A travelling man with his bible

Decided to never follow the idols

I find my place under the sun

Against the hatred I decided never to run

Facing 20 years to life since I was born

Between love and hate I was torn

Wondering what was the American dream?

Trying to hold it together at the seams

I woke up to my greatness

But I swear who I thought was real was really blessed with fakeness

For those who believed I wouldn’t make it

Just watch me as I take it

The crown fit well on my head

Before these people live this world I hope they make their bed

Chasing clouds will lead you over the cliff

Jealousy among friends will cause riffs

The greatness things to life have nothing to do with colors

And people’s worth are not only define by dollars.

Pray

May we all pray?

Under the stars where we lay

Late nights like this it feels like May

My hearts wishes to stay

But it beats and remains on the go

Trying to bounce back from the bottom like a yo-yo

My mother use to tell me speaking of others out of names was a no-no

My future remains the greatest story not yet told

I swear somedays my heart has to be cold

A protected draft pick

Moving through the jungle my words have to be as slick as Rick

And if the sum becomes greater than the rest

Then there’s no equal at the end of God’s test.

Burying Me In Gold

Feeling soulful

I’ve been talking about myself, boastful

The hatred never had me sold

But my love was buried in gold

The greatest story not yet told

I wanted to her heart so I had to be bold

I walked down from the mountaintop

Careful not to let my heart drop

These words I speak are worth more than gold

Walking up to her with a blindfold

I don’t where this encounter will go

My tongue tied up like a yo-yo

I saw a star shining so bright one night

Oh Lord what a sight

I didn’t have any physical gold

But my soul was filled with the greatest spiritual gold.

Exposed

Million Dollar Answer

The million dollar answer

The beating question to a specific cancer

Finding a way to speak from the heart

The feeling has been there since the start

In the summer my heart use to melt

Because she never knew how I felt

Now I’m wondering who gets your love

Does anybody take you on flight with the doves?

Lost in my thoughts

Lord where have I been caught

A rock and hard place

My heart against the world it’s race

The memories forever hit like wind hitting chimes

I never thought any moment with her was wasted time

I been down many paths before

But I’ve never felt this way in my core

I use to think I shouldn’t catch feelings

Then God showed me the meaning

How to love?

The feeling of God’s love.

Perfect Fits

Let’s be honest

I’m just trying to be modest

Ever since I heard your name

And since the first time we met I put that memory in a frame

I never knew feelings could be complicated

I’m just hoping the energy can be replicated

Last night I had a dream of us walking on a white sandy beach

Even in my dreams God seems to try to teach

But the skies above were laced with doves

The sun rays felt like an unfamiliar love

Watching the waves crash across our feet

Just speaking the truth to you would be an amazing feat

Looking into your eyes is easy

I just want to be real and not cheesy

Sooner or later I’ll speak with you about it

I’m just puzzled if my place in your life will be a perfect fit.

Liquor & Misunderstanding

Last night my thoughts were freestanding

All because of the liquor and misunderstanding

A couple of things I’ve been keeping bottled up

A certain presence can make me shut up

It only takes one world to slip out of my mouth

My stomach dropped down to the Deep South

I probably lost my mind

After it’s gone it becomes hard to find

The nectar digs out the deepness thoughts

I’m trying not to get caught

But lately I haven’t said anything

Dreams of being on bended knee with a diamond ring

Lord my mind wants to sing

The heartbeat in my chest has its ping

Everything is going off

The lights won’t shut off

One night with the room spinning might not be as bad

After all it might make us all glad.

   Things Change

Trying to reach God but my faith was out of range

This shaking feeling within shook like pocket change

I barely keep the lights on

The weigh on my shoulders feels like a ton

Wondering if I can be the same person they feel for

The feeling of failure is hitting at my core

Walking in the footprints of my ancestors

I remember trying to get pass the long semesters

Years later I’m still learning

The feeling of success remains churning

I use to think the times would never change

The worst feeling I’ve felt has been not going to La Grange

Such a heavy burden

But in my heart is where the love occurred in.

Catching Fire

I know my zest for life is catching fire

Greatest story ever told with no intent to retire

God has everything going good

My faith has withstood

Even when I was knocked down on my knees

I never forgot he paid the price and our fees

Our admission

Speaking to God we sometimes make omissions

Like he didn’t know us before we knew ourselves

Unbound but put together by blood, sweat and tears we were taken off of the shelves

I’m deeper than before because of that

Now my feet feel welcome every time I cross the promise land’s welcome mat.

Young. Black. Gifted.

This moment in my life has shifted

God made me young, black and gifted

His presence made me comfortable

Even doing times of feeling uncomfortable

I felt like I was losing my grip

I was taught to tie up loose ends since people sometime trip

I wish life was as simple

On bended knee with God in his holy temple

Living freely under those heavenly stars

The feeling of greatness to me means being more than subpar

Everyday feels like Christmas

I found out during my journey of faith I could go the distance

I know God felt the resistances

I wanted to follow my heart versus the stars

A kind of burning in my chest

My mind was in its own unrest

Trying to remain against the grain

Only my tears at that moment acted as the rain

Deep down my thoughts helped me move comfortably

Everything done was purposely

The feeling of greatness can be replicated

Even when my life can be fairly complicated.

Traveler’s Rest

A travelling man with his bible

Decided to never follow the idols

I find my place under the sun

Against the hatred I decided never to run

Facing 20 years to life since I was born

Between love and hate I was torn

Wondering what was the American dream?

Trying to hold it together at the seams

I woke up to my greatness

But I swear who I thought was real was really blessed with fakeness

For those who believed I wouldn’t make it

Just watch me as I take it

The crown fit well on my head

Before these people live this world I hope they make their bed

Chasing clouds will lead you over the cliff

Jealousy among friends will cause riffs

The greatness things to life have nothing to do with colors

And people’s worth are not only define by dollars.

Pray

May we all pray?

Under the stars where we lay

Late nights like this it feels like May

My hearts wishes to stay

But it beats and remains on the go

Trying to bounce back from the bottom like a yo-yo

My mother use to tell me speaking of others out of names was a no-no

My future remains the greatest story not yet told

I swear somedays my heart has to be cold

A protected draft pick

Moving through the jungle my words have to be as slick as Rick

And if the sum becomes greater than the rest

Then there’s no equal at the end of God’s test.

 Burying Me In Gold

Feeling soulful

I’ve been talking about myself, boastful

The hatred never had me sold

But my love was buried in gold

The greatest story not yet told

I wanted to her heart so I had to be bold

I walked down from the mountaintop

Careful not to let my heart drop

These words I speak are worth more than gold

Walking up to her with a blindfold

I don’t where this encounter will go

My tongue tied up like a yo-yo

I saw a star shining so bright one night

Oh Lord what a sight

I didn’t have any physical gold

But my soul was filled with the greatest spiritual gold.

Rawest in the Rarest Form

Frozen

A little piece of me died Trying to let time heal, I tried I watched my grandma float away Before she left I tried to pray I watched her where she laid But the memories never fade My last words to her I love you I know there’s no way we can go back If we do then our path would be off track Sweeping up the broken pieces No more rides in grandpa’s caprices Frozen in these moments I finally understand why I became a poet.

Rawest in the Rarest Form

Forever is a mighty long day

Plotting where my heart may stay

The taste of love is bittersweet

Knees become weak

I’m founding myself

Pulled myself off of grandpa’s dusty old shelf

Rawest in my rarest form

Lord these Decatur days taught me some southern charm

Probably will become the greatest some day

On bended knee as I pray

My soul swings on grandma’s patio

As the wind flows through hair

With hand’s caressing the crisp air

I’ll never be as a perfect

And I’m fine with that

My flaws molded by presence

Surprise! To the masses I’m their present.

Mixed Messages

Intentions full of mixed messages

Standing out on grandma’s terraces

Thinking too aloud

Wondering if my thoughts will allow me to drift into clouds

I want to be there with her

But I’m scared of what might occur

My soul wants to be free

But my mind won’t let me be

I’m feeling like this sunny day is meant for me

But these grey thoughts won’t let me see

They say actions speak louder than words

Every moment spent is pulling at my heart’s chords

Beauty in its rarity

Searching deep for some clarity.

Looking For Love

I heard you was looking for love

With your eyes to the doves

For a guy to secure your heart

I heard your looking for a new start

Looking for someone to trust

I heard you wasn’t in a rush

Somebody who will stand the test of time

Who knows your worth more than dimes?

I heard he might be your first

When you’re down he’ll give you a burst

Under the stars is where you laid

On bended knee you’ve prayed

Even wished on a shooting star

You deserve more than sub-par

I’ve been looking myself

Pulled my heart recently off the shelf

Dusted my ambitions off

The fear of being lonely has been shut off

I heard you was one of a kind

Somebody to spark your mind

There’s more to the process

I’ve been playing with love too much in recess

I’ve looked far and wide

While running in full stride

I stopped for a moment to look into the stars

Even though you shined your presence seemed far

Only way to get close was to strap a rocket to my back

And if you ever became a shooting star I would forever have your back.

Float

Lord before I sink please let me float

I took small steps from the boat

I felt the tides against my face

Against the waves it felt like a race

I turned my eyes to the sun

My journey just started it was never done

I shared my best times with you

Questions arise like, “Who?”

The skies remained blue

The feelings for who name I wouldn’t mention remained true

I crossed the burning bridges to rescue my people

Ambitious highs felt from the church steeple

Feet swinging with views of below

I never knew being that high could make me feel so low

Picking up myself from the ashes

I ran into her as her world crashes

This world can be bitch, but I was taught women are worth more

Speaking to the masses became a household chore

My name became the limelight

Judged by the public’s eye I thought we may fight

The hatred against me was never alright

My future was always bright

I use to be my idol’s fan

But now I’m grown, I’m a man.

Eryka Badu

Poetry became my way out

The world’s hatred became my people’s clout

I don’t even know how I made it this far

Close enough to reach the stars

God helped me up when I had sinking feelings

The memories within are reeling

Pulling back on my presence

Waiting till Christmas to deliver my presents

Bringing my ambitions to forefront

I missing granny’s home front

Front stoop with my the kin

On bended knee asking forgiveness for our sins

How do broken hearts mend?

My people I will defend

I use to want to run away

But God gave me a chance to see another day

How else would I make it this far?

Radio Silence

I always felt myself as a target

Once I found myself they tried to pull me off the market

But all within finally became okay

My ambitious push me onto a new day

I walk with a joyful stride

I humbled my pride

Preserved my status in this life

Weathered myself in this current strife

I closed my eyes

I know exactly where the darkness lies

I know where my light shines towards

I know how to pull their heartstrings when playing chords

God has me speaking in my clearest mind

Lord I’m amazed at what I would find

My heart had my eyes on the prize

Before I could speak my future into existences my words capsized

Only way to heal my soul was Anita in the background

I’m blessed by what I found

My heart was in radio silence

I’m just praying I can turn feelings into a certain balance.

Boo’d Up

Candler ‘s Way

It’s Complicated

Let It Go

It’s Complicated

Bout It

Black Bonnie

InRetroSpect #IRSseason

All We Got

All we got

Though words have never been that hot

I was never that sold

Turned their way I never seen shoulders so cold

Came a long way from the mount

Long Sundays in church with heavenly shouts

Good Lord, look what we have found

Only nodding our heads to the choir’s sound

But now we are back

Picking up the crumbles and drifting dress slacks

The same one’s from Easter’s ago

Please do not pass the shade, “OH NO NO”

Only the stuffing

Winters ago we were only cuffing

Now I’m in love

My feet in the morning set free to soar with dove

Lord I get my work from your sermons

I do not talk to serpents

I have a chance to be great

Not a rapper but a poet is a great start.

Feel It In The Air

I can feel it in the air

I’m wondering if they even care

Knocking at the door like are you even there?

Yeah I wondering is this season even fair

The moments are becoming vital

A smile with a partial dental

There’s more to the equation

A little light in the relations

We all are in endanger

Hard knocks from life like Walker Texas Ranger

In my mind it was daring

The emotions were caring

As the turned

The butterflies in my stomach churned

Wondering why there were leaves

Wondering where we left off

The feeling that we broke off

No love running through the lines because the power got shutoff

I can feel that in the air

I’m just here to address the state like the mayor

It’s me in my rarest state

I see no stopping at this rate

Family Matters

No matter what frame shatters

Family always matter

That’s surely what I was taught

The concept was surely caught

Like trying to catch the leaves before fall left

Then I got this late hit I felt should have been called by ref

Looking up into the heavens for God

With my hands held high

A moment after waiting I felt a heavy sigh

Who do I turn too?

Surburban

Extended stays

I heard the fam was coming home for the holidays

Bringing the greens and beans

All smiles with expressions of being mean

Yeah this season I’m not single

And still I won’t allow the potatoes and corn to mingle

Love over hate got me playing tic-tac

The memories as sweet as lilacs

Feeling this seasonal charm

The hugs and kisses keep me warm

The feeling outlasts a day for thanks

Memories I definitely rank

Which one was the greatest

Regardless of the time please forgive me for my latest

Coming through on my own time

As soon as the door opens your hear the chime

I’ll be home for the holidays

We on our way

It’s Better This Way

It’s better this way

I found my way

Through the storms

On my coldest days I feeling of being warm

On my way to work

Wondering what will work?

No telling when the pain will change

I just knew life was a puzzle that needed to be rearranged

I never gave up on my gift

The words just knew I needed the lift

In a current where your hopes feel adift

But between the odds you find your rift

My mind can’t stay still

A dose of realization was my pill

Outside of the norm

Forever found ways to perfect my form

The feeling becomes outlasted

My role can never be casted

Greatness reigns in pen

A power we all hold in our hands

Mama Never Abandon Hope

Mama never always had the money

But she kept life sweet as honey

With my shoes tied I was never tripping

Words of encouragement were so uplifting

They had what I wanted

Jordans seemingly imported

But how could I quit now

I felt so empowered

Outside of the box living with no windows

I saw everything they couldn’t see

How much for y'all soul

I know effects take a toll

Pushing out thoughts of greatness

Giving birth to nations

Close ties create long-lasting relations

In the zone

But Lord knows it wasn’t because of my skin tone

Blood and sweat

Tears I held back for years

Internal fears

Immersed in thoughts

If the feeling would be caught

Like a fire from within

A heart with a pocket full of tin

Lord I’m giving back to one’s who never cared

They were never there

But I can’t give up now

A feeling of “wow”

He knew me before I was me

Now I see

We+

We just wanted the power

A little boy across the way was faced as a clown

I saw a car pass him before they shot him down

We just too reckless

But Lord at some point we all will be bless

The greatest story ever told

Lord I carried the heaviest load

From ground zero

The dust settled to show the people’s hero

We brought the culture something lit

But still the hatred made us pay for it

It’s going to take a lot of fight

Victory is slight

Screaming to the skies

Against the lies

The surface was only scratched

The energy wasn’t matched

We came too far to give up

Melrose

I’m like Childish Gambino at Pharos

I’m like a crispy breeze out on Melrose

Entwined in the fabrics of life

I called her my wife

Through the upsides and downs

What’s a king without his crown

From a small town

Where the town’s people are covered in frowns

How dirty they appear

Butterflies dare not fly in their stomachs

Only fear exist

Is there a way out?

Who dares to stand out and shout?

From the highest mountain

Or lowest valley

A love covered in doubt

Once again, I ask what is this about?

Like the sun gently approaching my face

I say awaken my love

Awaken now!

4 Da Squaw

Is this for the squaw?

We all possess the same flaws

The same skin tone

I remember those late nights alone

When outside was the coldest

And it was only my ambitions keeping me up

An empty cup on the side

A pen and a sheet of paper

A lone wolf looking for a cheap taper

A line to give me a decent look

Oh Lord was this what it took

For me to get this far

A little closer to my grandmother’s star

Trying to survive the norm

Only praying to perfect my form

If I survive the night

Only on a slight prayer

The street ain’t getting cleaned by our mayor

So I know we aren’t good

I remember my first step where we all once stood

Working for the people

Is this for the squaw?

Foreclosure

My tears are as cold as Colorado’s boulders

This life keeps my freedom trapped in these foreclosures

I can barely walk a tightrope

One wrong step over these slippery slopes

Hands up but we still choke

Flashing lights in front of us as our fears soak

Once heard success was a precious jewel

Then I found out people could be so cruel

Let my presence be their light

Looks from the coldest come off of so slight

Mama told me and now I believe she was right

Staring at the world from both sides

As successful as Alabama from both sides

Please know I’m not trying to be offensive

Then turn around and get defensive

From humble beginnings

I guess they can say I’m deep in my feelings

Living in the present

Only to unwrap my blessing in the future

The negative remarks were the last

I just foreclosed on my past

Never Settle

Early mornings hearing the kettle

Sweat dreams turned into reality so I never settle

Working towards the greatness

Never forgave myself for the lateness

So I worked hard

I thought I pulled the right card

Letting the jitters settled down from within

I prayed for the betterment of my kin

We all fell short of sin

On bended knee asking for forgiveness

As the wind blows God leaves me with a sweet kiss

Views from the promise land

Footprints of memories left from where granny use to stand

Yeah I know she’s told the angels about her little grown man

How could he have so much heart like little Kevin

Who would have known I would have a plug in heaven?

Unexplained writings on the wall

Like the way leaves blow in the fall

All in

Double or Nothing: Warm Up

In Tune

Lord it’s never too soon

I’m tune

With the ambitions flowing through my veins

The stress washed away by me facing the rain

Gripping greatness at the reins

I realized I was alive when I felt the pain

I tried to run away my problems

But I ended up facing myself in the mirror

Nobody knows me like myself

Took myself off the my high horse and off that shelf

I been through some loops

I can only ride for myself in a four-seated coupe

Throw blame against others

Even my mother

When the problem was right in front of the mirror

I realized that

I became in tune with God

Like a beam of light from above

I felt the warmth and love

I worked for mines

I worked hard just to shine.

Savage Time

I remember when my worth was compared too dimes

Now it’s my savage time

I believe no one can stop me

I know my life is now free

I spent my attention on greatness

I showed to up the rally for me so forgive my lateness

One day my mom will see me as a keynote

And my account filled with blue notes

I’m risking more now than when I rolled those dices on Monopoly

Lord I’m just trying to fulfill the prophecy

Spoken reasons

Perpetual treason

This is life is never ending

Fences once broken need mending

Bridges once burned

Has me wondering what’ve actually learned

My sights set on the heavens

Keeping my blessings and family on me like a pair of lucky sevens

Go Legend

They said go beast mode

Become the greatest story ever told

Switching lanes once travelled

Past mysteries unraveled

Speaking things into existence until I go legend

This is for my people who beat the recession

Surpassed the depression

I speak with my mind with no discretion

I pieced my greatness from past experiences that left me puzzled

My words could never be muzzled

Raised from my ancestral roots

I’m just a present day Nature Boy

Words deemed rare

Flashing lights shined on me like Ric Flair

Life showed me how to stand out amongst the greatest

I’m just considered the latest.

Writing in Peace (Unfinished)

The feeling of traveling overseas

Letting this hatred burn so let me roll in peace

Letting the ashes carry off into the night skies

Where my dreams lie

I’m just waiting on my moment to shine

Like when it’s time I’ll go as far as a shooting star

Like Atlanta seen from the foothills of Kennesaw

Or coming down from Austell

Lord I should have known this ride wasn’t free

People selling their souls for a shopping spree

Can I Be Free?

Do you want to be happy?

Do you want you to be free?

Maybe be able to smile

Or run for miles

With any fault

These tight-lipped metaphors caught

The intro is an onslaught

And when the foundation breaks who will be at fault

Will it be rose that rose from below the payment?

Or the heavy footed people with the world on their shoulders?

Lord look how far I have came

My little light as grown into a flame

These are only simple words

Stringing along my heartbeat as I pull the chords

Love is to each’s own

These ability’s I homed

The feeling of knowing I’ll never be alone

A greatness forever etched in stone

  I

A.E. Lanez: The Draft

4th Quarter: Game Over  It's feeling like  4th quarter  Crunch time Time to get up and grind Kobe state of mind  Can't knock the hustle  If you never had to struggle Hard work plus Dedication  Equals Bill Russell  Can't slow down  Got to keep moving I haven't reached my prime yet So I'm still improving KD with the shot  But Lebron with the block During a full court press I'm AI with the crossover Kyrie with his left  It's about to be game over  Shaq with the hook  Now look At the score It's a lot closer than before The clock is running down  No more Time outs left 3 secs to shoot Jordan with the fade away Buzzer beater  And it goes in We are the champions Once again!  Time is ticking away Praying for home court where my heart stays Speaking on greatness Before the buzzer runs out I pray you forgive me for the lateness From end to end Where does the chance to win bend? Working hard on the inside Picking up momentum in my stride Looking for strength in this crunch time If I don’t score my failure becomes a worldly sin Outcasted Against the competition I became outlandish The opposition is praying on my demise But my moment to shine comes at sunrise Empty jeans Pockets with no dreams Armani collars But my pockets contain no dollars Lord knows I’m still perfecting my craft Watching television praying my name is called in the draft The feeling of drowning in knee-deep water Praying my shot in the dark hits before the end of fourth quarter. The Undefeatable Doubt Hey Lanez they've been sleeping on us for way too long. We have to show them why we deserve to be here. Let's go! First there was ten Then there was one Now there is none Cause I whipped them like they were my son Cause I came in thinking I had already won So it was done Before it begun Cause my mind is the trigger And my mouth is the gun So when my words hit cha The only thing that can save you is scripture Get the picture Cause you'll immediately go into shock Cause you can't blink You can't think And you feel weak Boy just go home and go to sleep We'll have a rematch next week Now I'm feeling like Jack cause I'm the king of the world And your looking like I just stole your girl Cold World. Now they want to crucify me Like Jesus on the cross And they'll pay any cost To see my blood flow like a book of poetry And they don't even know me But they see me from a far Looking like a star So they want to take a shot at me But they miss Cause they're not focused. Can’t call it That’s what they say about me Maybe he’s done with writing Maybe his ambition just isn’t biting But Lord they don't know Plenty of days crying Plenty of nights unseeingly trying So hard to see through the distractions Lost friends from difficult subtractions I guess I’m testing my fate Lord where’s my mind’s state Unraveled like a mystery Wondering where is my peoples’ history Lord knows I’m not that lost Just look at everything it has cost Nothing is free But they shopping like we can afford those sprees I see the roads we are taking Those bridges we travel still shaking Wake up, wake up Sip some of this knowledge from God’s cup My pockets must not be as deep Waking up in cold sweats from my sleep If I’m heading for greatness I sure can’t call it A mystery I sure can’t solve it Lord, please help me find it I felt like I lost it We are all endanger Who stands as bright as the green ranger? These words can’t be bought The wisdom gained can’t be taught Only knowledge I sought Can’t catch my metaphors even if they wanted to be caught Like the blinds from inside shaded This world counting me out has me faded. Don't Sleep on me While the world steadily sleeps on me Staring through my eyes hoping they would see What has become No equal to the total and sum My life divided the hate I showed up on time so greatness can never be late Paid my dues Life gave me nothing but cues So I took them Unseen faith is like a rare gem So I plead to the masses Life gives you few passes Miss out on life by not setting your alarm There's no good but undeniable harm. I know I should be sleep But my mind’s way too deep In thought By my surprise I just caught A vibe It's funny how lateness Sparks greatness Up all night Until I get it right Not quite there yet Might need to reset My mind Back to a time When I didn't have to do so much thinking I was more so dreaming Of being the best Wondering about my success That was then But now time Got me pressed Feeling slightly stressed Even though at times I feel like my life is one big mess I'm still blessed Because God woke me up this morning So I'm going to keep on performing To the best of my ability Cause God lies within me Nas said sleep is the cousin of death So I'm going hard until I fall asleep and take my last breath. Late Night Thoughts  I know some pretty girls that like poetry And they notice me  Trying to be known  Locally And globally  Mr. International Like Tupac Building up this capital  So I can't stop Grinding  Got to level up  So I keep on  Rising Bout to go Super Saiyan Meaning I ain't playin  No more  Bout to lay the hammer down on my demons like Thor Then soar  To new heights  My mind’s in flight Headed to my destination Calculating how much time I got left Till I make it  Ain't no telling  So I shouldn't waste it Thinking about what if I have to go for it Which means less worry And more Steph Curry  Pull up and shoot  Automatic  Every artist just wants a classic Illmatic.  The feeling of being grateful The feeling of negating the hateful On bended knee as I plead Lord, please forgive me for my greed Their voices couldn’t be any louder My father couldn’t be any prouder  And we’re speaking it all into existence Against the grain we expect no resistance I know its tough doing anything Late nights waiting on that certain ring From the heavens above Lord we all feel your love And when things get rough We just press reset Laying our heads down What’s a king without his crown? Outside of the norm Where we forever perfect our form And now I have no concerns Because you won’t see the hatred next to me Because you won’t see my enemies next to me I won’t need their approval And they won’t need mine’s.   The Come Up Pt. 2 So young and free I grew up with nothing given for free Against all the odds Oh good Lord! I don't know why I do it Maybe because it's my true grit I remember when I use to go to the shows Now the people come see me Up before the sunrise Oh what a surprise People keep asking me,  why? But I never tell them why I do it No reason given I just tell them to keep living The world is cold That's why some keep the heater close In case the warm hearts can't help And a helping hand becomes a backstab Growing pains Become a permanent visible stain We continue to see the wrong flashing lights Those cameras could  Never have been that bright Going in on this life It never was my knife Nor was it the blood on my hands This is my last stand A grown man Now what can you say? Nothing But they always find something To say All they do is talk But they haven't walked In my shoes They haven't seen what I've seen Been where I’ve been I illustrate this all with my pen My truth sets me free And these words give me life This dream keeps me up at night Tossing and turning Because the thought of not making it is disturbing That's why I keep on working Until I get the results I'm looking for Until I see my book in front of the store I won't be satisfied Till I have a bestseller worldwide Till I am one of the greatest poets alive. No Love Appeal I'm trying to make poetry my career  By next year Modern day William Shakespeare  Without the love Cause she disappeared Without warning  I guess she got tired of me performing She wanted to be the main attraction  But instead I treated her as a distraction I told you I cared  But my actions  Showed otherwise Now I'm sitting on the wrong side  Of a love song By now I know you’re probably long  Gone But I want to let you know  You were the inspiration  For some of my greatest creations I miss you so much  You got me requesting We Belong Together on the radio station  In dedication to what we had  In hopes you will hear it and come back Remembering the good times we shared I know I wasn't the best but I tried to be there I was just unaware  Of your true feelings But since I haven't heard from you lately  I'm guessing our love reached its ceiling  Since you’re no longer my lady  Love's not that appealing.  Sitting under the stars on this lonely Atlanta night Memories remain, but your love remains out of sight We were futuristic with our love Set to fly with the doves But truthfully I wanted to believe Without your love would my pain relieve itself? Drowning in my own tears My passions created my biggest fear Overshadowed by greatness I never gave you my all Blown away by my magnolia-like the fall But I heard em’ say You wanted to stay But I only listened to words of my own On paper the words were shown I couldn’t share my heart with only you Now grey clouds cover my heavenly hues I may never understand the severity This passion of mine is a rarity And I know you don’t want to wait for me But I hope you can see Like a puzzle in the beginning you can’t solve A problem I’ve tried to resolve I’m trying to change your last name And our future can change with the fame But even when the passion keeps calling My heart towards you keeps falling I don’t want nobody else but you The writings on the wall serve as your clue. The Sun is Rising on Sweet Magnolia Lane Still waiting on the world to change As John Mayer plays In the background Sounds of hope Fill the room I suddenly feel encouraged again To push through The doubt To overcome The pain I've gained so much strength From disappointment Cause every loss Usually becomes a win In the end I have learned from experience That even on cloudy days The sun can still rise And sometimes gray Can turn into blue skies Today I realized That there will be no more waiting in vain On Sweet Magnolia Lane. Pulled up to Sweet Magnolia Lane Granny's love was always sweet as sugar cane Lord we were always wild I was my mama's child Off the dome The concrete rose always had a home My words set the tone My heart was never alone Against the grain My face felt the rain The tears rolled back The pressure against me was stacked My chance to shine was now Like the morning sun on a day never seen Forever fly Smiles over the sighs Life moves at light speed In front of your people but Lord must I plead? Believing ambitions drive my path And the dust left from me is my poetic wrath. The Experience Speaking from experience I lived the coldest winter Speaking into existence I rode as a party of one in a four-seater Sweet release The war must cease Oh my My color shadows the deepest light Under the heavens my soul exists My tears exit stage right Still at high noon my day shines bright Hands to the sky While my head nods to the nature vibes Oh my I saw my smile in your eyes I felt the beat of your heart where God's love lies Now I'm like One, two, three, four… High five to God above I go harder in fact Red fox with truth leaving my opposition with heart attacks Do you love me for me? I guess my mind gave me solace Wrapped in love leaves me in a glow But on the low Even in my highs My temptation lies in between those thighs Lord this sin of mine is speaking out of turn Back to the righteousness Back to fighting crime in place of Elliott Ness My mind chimes into my heart Speaking logic into something known to be mystic This thing called love This pre-existing condition of mine’s Lord these words of mine deserve to be read between the lines A little salt and pepper added to greatness Do they know how I feel? About the hatred around me Just delivering some knowledge signed and sealed. There's a war going on outside that no man is safe from So it's survival of the fittest Words from the realest Prodigy I remember studying sociology Back in UnderGrad After I had a long talk with my dad Trying to understand how the human mind works Why we think the way we think Why we believe what we believe Why we act the way we act Say the things we say I've learned it's all based on our experiences Growing up as kids That shape us the most That's why it's important to keep the family close But the system has been breaking us up since slavery So that they can control us And own our realities Trying to determine our destinies To make sure we don't fulfill God's purpose Sadly it's been working They give us dope To take away our hope Give us guns To kill one Another aka your fellow brother Remember they want us to suffer So they change the rules Give us horrible schools Set us up Put us in jail To make sure we fail And won't prevail But don't fall for the devil's trap Educate yourself and fight back! Love Conquers Hate Ambitions of living spacious With my head in the clouds while on a spaceship My mind becomes roofless Reality drawn out becomes ruthless Giving all my love through the avant-garde Hatred from my fellow brother keeps me on guard Grandma’s love stayed on me like residue Karma forced me to pay for past dues I pray the magnolias hold up till the fourth quarter The path of my success only wishes to go further My understanding brought me to a divine force Set my ambition on an uncharted course Destroying the hatred with sweet love. Love stay with me Love don't leave me Love don't break me Love don't forsake me. Love wait for me Love don't you forget about me I thought it was suppose to be You and me for eternity Always and forever Now you think you can do better You were my treasure Even wrote you a love letter I guess that doesn’t matter Even though I climbed the tallest ladder And pronounced my love for you It wasn't good enough So I'm throwing in the towel, I'm giving up. Suddenly love turned into sadness Which quickly turned into anger Which eventually turned into hate At first this feeling felt great But I soon realized it was slowly killing me Having all this negative energy It wasn't good for me Cause we were meant to love So I learned a valuable lesson Don't slow down your progression with hate But elevate your heart with love and faith. WWJD  Living in a cold world with a mink coat Lord could I really be the GOAT? A living legend sounds about the greatest thing you ever wrote My feelings about mankind almost feel remote Everything I know is worldly But I see God so clearly The pain within could break my heart Repentance is a great start Ready, on your mark? Shine as bright as you can and repel the dark The whispers in one’s ears Braces them for their own fears Lord where does one’s faith lie How much longer must our mother’s cry Like Harry Potter, the name we never speak of Who they whisper, “the devil” I guess they would rather be rebels Words cut sharp like Bevel My faith reaches new levels Lord, Will they love you with greed like Southerners did with cotton? Or celebrate you like a Hall of Famer in Kenny Lofton?   Picture me rolling  25  Trying not to die  But the devil keeps calling me  Can't let temptation get the best of me.  So I swerve on em Break fast 40 yard dash Can I live?  Then out of nowhere he appears again Telling me to get in The car with him I know I shouldn't  But I'm tired of running And I know he is going to keep hunting me down All of a sudden  I hear a voice say wait Don't make  This fatal mistake Think about what you are doing Think about the consequences  And the lives he has ruin I don't want this to be your fate  You were born to be great Now a choice has to be made Give in Or resist  I nervously start looking around  And I found the answer lies on my bracelet WWJD (What would Jesus do?)  From that moment I knew  Which side to choose  The one who gave me life The one who sent His son to make the ultimate sacrifice  My loyalty lies with Jehovah Today I decided to become one of God's soldiers.  Baptize me in your river  Purify my soul  Make me whole  I know this will not be easy  But please bear with me As I navigate through life I will not always do what's right But I promise you that I will try my best To ace this test.  The Silver Lining  Sin is the disease  Love is the cure I've been looking for more I've been looking for more Answers to the questions of life Like when is Jesus coming back? When will I see my loved ones again that have passed? Questions no one has the answers to but I still ask I wish Lucifer never would have gotten jealous of God  I wish he would have realized that there is only one God  I wish Adam never would have bitten the forbidden fruit I wish he would of thought about the consequences before he acted Now we have to deal with the curse of sin For their mistakes But there is beauty in the struggle And love in the pain Because if none of this would have happened all we would know is perfection  Without ever having to work for it We would have possibly taken it for granted  But at least now if we make it God willing We will appreciate life without sin a whole lot more Then before  So for now I will push forward and endure Sin is death Love is life I've been waiting for Christ I've been waiting for Christ. Lord we can’t lose Because we don’t chose The hatred The blue skies have my mind going through the matrix In the presence of the Lord All on one accord The choir’s sweet sentiments strikes my heart’s chord On the way to greatness so all aboard As we watch the skies roll back The love within is full with no lack Of heart Of one another I am the keeper of my brother An essence of my mother I hear the whispers but this isn’t my shining Dressed in all black but within is my silver lining The moment for greatness is a defining one So when Christ returns my presence shines as such.  Worship  Lord forgive me for my sins The hate I withheld from my kin Those late nights’ thoughts of hating her I always felt like she didn’t care I’ll never forget about those freshmen years Lord she broke my heart and left me with some painful tears Lord you broke through the cracks Lord your love never lacks Growing up in the church Afternoons with my cousins on grandma’s porch Under the streetlights Those angels’ lights never shined so bright You brought me through the pain Bare chested with a heart full of stains From the hatred From people letting me down And me letting those same people down Lord I remain your pupil Staring at them Those people are gone and now heavenly stars. God gave me a mind to think Ears to hear Eyes to see  A mouth to speak  Hands to touch  A heart to love And I'm going to use them to lift you up Praise your name  Spread your word  Give people hope  I'm going to share my story  And give you glory By worshiping you Cause you are holy Oh so worthy  Alpha and Omega  The beginning and the end  Yahweh you have been my best friend  And I am honored to worship you  Jehovah  My father My provider  King on the throne You are God and God alone  I will forever love and worship you.  The Mind State of Young Poets: Spring Forward I fought with success Prepared for greatness while others were in recess Neighborhoods flushed with drugs good Lord it looks like a wreck If only people were paid in reality checks rather than refund checks Nothing appears new We all knew The government was out for black men The one shot down the other day was kin Questions arise How much for your soul? It was no surprise The hatred we lived in Parents asking me, “where have I been” Taking away more than they could ever give back A few hundred turns into a few more stacks Comprised in hands Where the power stands Pushing for greatness when nobody is looking out But still the haters question what your true intentions are about Too quick to pull the trigger Whose giving back? Definitely not the rich Negros And when the world asks what’s wrong, why do we remain silent? When we know God is the pilot! We all want more life We all want more time We all need more love We all want less crime. I want more unity in the community More opportunity For you and me To be all we can be. I wish you more success And less stress More wealth and good health More wins And fewer losses For the bosses. Today Do more good than evil Make more peace than war If you can help out the poor Listen more And talk less Think more and react less Do your best God woke you up this morning So you are blessed.

A.E. Lanez: The Draft

4th Quarter: Game Over  It's feeling like  4th quarter  Crunch time Time to get up and grind Kobe state of mind  Can't knock the hustle  If you never had to struggle Hard work plus Dedication  Equals Bill Russell  Can't slow down  Got to keep moving I haven't reached my prime yet So I'm still improving KD with the shot  But Lebron with the block During a full court press I'm AI with the crossover Kyrie with his left  It's about to be game over  Shaq with the hook  Now look At the score It's a lot closer than before The clock is running down  No more Time outs left 3 secs to shoot Jordan with the fade away Buzzer beater  And it goes in We are the champions Once again!  Time is ticking away Praying for home court where my heart stays Speaking on greatness Before the buzzer runs out I pray you forgive me for the lateness From end to end Where does the chance to win bend? Working hard on the inside Picking up momentum in my stride Looking for strength in this crunch time If I don’t score my failure becomes a worldly sin Outcasted Against the competition I became outlandish The opposition is praying on my demise But my moment to shine comes at sunrise Empty jeans Pockets with no dreams Armani collars But my pockets contain no dollars Lord knows I’m still perfecting my craft Watching television praying my name is called in the draft The feeling of drowning in knee-deep water Praying my shot in the dark hits before the end of fourth quarter. The Undefeatable Doubt Hey Lanez they've been sleeping on us for way too long. We have to show them why we deserve to be here. Let's go! First there was ten Then there was one Now there is none Cause I whipped them like they were my son Cause I came in thinking I had already won So it was done Before it begun Cause my mind is the trigger And my mouth is the gun So when my words hit cha The only thing that can save you is scripture Get the picture Cause you'll immediately go into shock Cause you can't blink You can't think And you feel weak Boy just go home and go to sleep We'll have a rematch next week Now I'm feeling like Jack cause I'm the king of the world And your looking like I just stole your girl Cold World. Now they want to crucify me Like Jesus on the cross And they'll pay any cost To see my blood flow like a book of poetry And they don't even know me But they see me from a far Looking like a star So they want to take a shot at me But they miss Cause they're not focused. Can’t call it That’s what they say about me Maybe he’s done with writing Maybe his ambition just isn’t biting But Lord they don't know Plenty of days crying Plenty of nights unseeingly trying So hard to see through the distractions Lost friends from difficult subtractions I guess I’m testing my fate Lord where’s my mind’s state Unraveled like a mystery Wondering where is my peoples’ history Lord knows I’m not that lost Just look at everything it has cost Nothing is free But they shopping like we can afford those sprees I see the roads we are taking Those bridges we travel still shaking Wake up, wake up Sip some of this knowledge from God’s cup My pockets must not be as deep Waking up in cold sweats from my sleep If I’m heading for greatness I sure can’t call it A mystery I sure can’t solve it Lord, please help me find it I felt like I lost it We are all endanger Who stands as bright as the green ranger? These words can’t be bought The wisdom gained can’t be taught Only knowledge I sought Can’t catch my metaphors even if they wanted to be caught Like the blinds from inside shaded This world counting me out has me faded. Don't Sleep on me While the world steadily sleeps on me Staring through my eyes hoping they would see What has become No equal to the total and sum My life divided the hate I showed up on time so greatness can never be late Paid my dues Life gave me nothing but cues So I took them Unseen faith is like a rare gem So I plead to the masses Life gives you few passes Miss out on life by not setting your alarm There's no good but undeniable harm. I know I should be sleep But my mind’s way too deep In thought By my surprise I just caught A vibe It's funny how lateness Sparks greatness Up all night Until I get it right Not quite there yet Might need to reset My mind Back to a time When I didn't have to do so much thinking I was more so dreaming Of being the best Wondering about my success That was then But now time Got me pressed Feeling slightly stressed Even though at times I feel like my life is one big mess I'm still blessed Because God woke me up this morning So I'm going to keep on performing To the best of my ability Cause God lies within me Nas said sleep is the cousin of death So I'm going hard until I fall asleep and take my last breath. Late Night Thoughts  I know some pretty girls that like poetry And they notice me  Trying to be known  Locally And globally  Mr. International Like Tupac Building up this capital  So I can't stop Grinding  Got to level up  So I keep on  Rising Bout to go Super Saiyan Meaning I ain't playin  No more  Bout to lay the hammer down on my demons like Thor Then soar  To new heights  My mind’s in flight Headed to my destination Calculating how much time I got left Till I make it  Ain't no telling  So I shouldn't waste it Thinking about what if I have to go for it Which means less worry And more Steph Curry  Pull up and shoot  Automatic  Every artist just wants a classic Illmatic.  The feeling of being grateful The feeling of negating the hateful On bended knee as I plead Lord, please forgive me for my greed Their voices couldn’t be any louder My father couldn’t be any prouder  And we’re speaking it all into existence Against the grain we expect no resistance I know its tough doing anything Late nights waiting on that certain ring From the heavens above Lord we all feel your love And when things get rough We just press reset Laying our heads down What’s a king without his crown? Outside of the norm Where we forever perfect our form And now I have no concerns Because you won’t see the hatred next to me Because you won’t see my enemies next to me I won’t need their approval And they won’t need mine’s.   The Come Up Pt. 2 So young and free I grew up with nothing given for free Against all the odds Oh good Lord! I don't know why I do it Maybe because it's my true grit I remember when I use to go to the shows Now the people come see me Up before the sunrise Oh what a surprise People keep asking me,  why? But I never tell them why I do it No reason given I just tell them to keep living The world is cold That's why some keep the heater close In case the warm hearts can't help And a helping hand becomes a backstab Growing pains Become a permanent visible stain We continue to see the wrong flashing lights Those cameras could  Never have been that bright Going in on this life It never was my knife Nor was it the blood on my hands This is my last stand A grown man Now what can you say? Nothing But they always find something To say All they do is talk But they haven't walked In my shoes They haven't seen what I've seen Been where I’ve been I illustrate this all with my pen My truth sets me free And these words give me life This dream keeps me up at night Tossing and turning Because the thought of not making it is disturbing That's why I keep on working Until I get the results I'm looking for Until I see my book in front of the store I won't be satisfied Till I have a bestseller worldwide Till I am one of the greatest poets alive. No Love Appeal I'm trying to make poetry my career  By next year Modern day William Shakespeare  Without the love Cause she disappeared Without warning  I guess she got tired of me performing She wanted to be the main attraction  But instead I treated her as a distraction I told you I cared  But my actions  Showed otherwise Now I'm sitting on the wrong side  Of a love song By now I know you’re probably long  Gone But I want to let you know  You were the inspiration  For some of my greatest creations I miss you so much  You got me requesting We Belong Together on the radio station  In dedication to what we had  In hopes you will hear it and come back Remembering the good times we shared I know I wasn't the best but I tried to be there I was just unaware  Of your true feelings But since I haven't heard from you lately  I'm guessing our love reached its ceiling  Since you’re no longer my lady  Love's not that appealing.  Sitting under the stars on this lonely Atlanta night Memories remain, but your love remains out of sight We were futuristic with our love Set to fly with the doves But truthfully I wanted to believe Without your love would my pain relieve itself? Drowning in my own tears My passions created my biggest fear Overshadowed by greatness I never gave you my all Blown away by my magnolia-like the fall But I heard em’ say You wanted to stay But I only listened to words of my own On paper the words were shown I couldn’t share my heart with only you Now grey clouds cover my heavenly hues I may never understand the severity This passion of mine is a rarity And I know you don’t want to wait for me But I hope you can see Like a puzzle in the beginning you can’t solve A problem I’ve tried to resolve I’m trying to change your last name And our future can change with the fame But even when the passion keeps calling My heart towards you keeps falling I don’t want nobody else but you The writings on the wall serve as your clue. The Sun is Rising on Sweet Magnolia Lane Still waiting on the world to change As John Mayer plays In the background Sounds of hope Fill the room I suddenly feel encouraged again To push through The doubt To overcome The pain I've gained so much strength From disappointment Cause every loss Usually becomes a win In the end I have learned from experience That even on cloudy days The sun can still rise And sometimes gray Can turn into blue skies Today I realized That there will be no more waiting in vain On Sweet Magnolia Lane. Pulled up to Sweet Magnolia Lane Granny's love was always sweet as sugar cane Lord we were always wild I was my mama's child Off the dome The concrete rose always had a home My words set the tone My heart was never alone Against the grain My face felt the rain The tears rolled back The pressure against me was stacked My chance to shine was now Like the morning sun on a day never seen Forever fly Smiles over the sighs Life moves at light speed In front of your people but Lord must I plead? Believing ambitions drive my path And the dust left from me is my poetic wrath. The Experience Speaking from experience I lived the coldest winter Speaking into existence I rode as a party of one in a four-seater Sweet release The war must cease Oh my My color shadows the deepest light Under the heavens my soul exists My tears exit stage right Still at high noon my day shines bright Hands to the sky While my head nods to the nature vibes Oh my I saw my smile in your eyes I felt the beat of your heart where God's love lies Now I'm like One, two, three, four… High five to God above I go harder in fact Red fox with truth leaving my opposition with heart attacks Do you love me for me? I guess my mind gave me solace Wrapped in love leaves me in a glow But on the low Even in my highs My temptation lies in between those thighs Lord this sin of mine is speaking out of turn Back to the righteousness Back to fighting crime in place of Elliott Ness My mind chimes into my heart Speaking logic into something known to be mystic This thing called love This pre-existing condition of mine’s Lord these words of mine deserve to be read between the lines A little salt and pepper added to greatness Do they know how I feel? About the hatred around me Just delivering some knowledge signed and sealed. There's a war going on outside that no man is safe from So it's survival of the fittest Words from the realest Prodigy I remember studying sociology Back in UnderGrad After I had a long talk with my dad Trying to understand how the human mind works Why we think the way we think Why we believe what we believe Why we act the way we act Say the things we say I've learned it's all based on our experiences Growing up as kids That shape us the most That's why it's important to keep the family close But the system has been breaking us up since slavery So that they can control us And own our realities Trying to determine our destinies To make sure we don't fulfill God's purpose Sadly it's been working They give us dope To take away our hope Give us guns To kill one Another aka your fellow brother Remember they want us to suffer So they change the rules Give us horrible schools Set us up Put us in jail To make sure we fail And won't prevail But don't fall for the devil's trap Educate yourself and fight back! Love Conquers Hate Ambitions of living spacious With my head in the clouds while on a spaceship My mind becomes roofless Reality drawn out becomes ruthless Giving all my love through the avant-garde Hatred from my fellow brother keeps me on guard Grandma’s love stayed on me like residue Karma forced me to pay for past dues I pray the magnolias hold up till the fourth quarter The path of my success only wishes to go further My understanding brought me to a divine force Set my ambition on an uncharted course Destroying the hatred with sweet love. Love stay with me Love don't leave me Love don't break me Love don't forsake me. Love wait for me Love don't you forget about me I thought it was suppose to be You and me for eternity Always and forever Now you think you can do better You were my treasure Even wrote you a love letter I guess that doesn’t matter Even though I climbed the tallest ladder And pronounced my love for you It wasn't good enough So I'm throwing in the towel, I'm giving up. Suddenly love turned into sadness Which quickly turned into anger Which eventually turned into hate At first this feeling felt great But I soon realized it was slowly killing me Having all this negative energy It wasn't good for me Cause we were meant to love So I learned a valuable lesson Don't slow down your progression with hate But elevate your heart with love and faith. WWJD  Living in a cold world with a mink coat Lord could I really be the GOAT? A living legend sounds about the greatest thing you ever wrote My feelings about mankind almost feel remote Everything I know is worldly But I see God so clearly The pain within could break my heart Repentance is a great start Ready, on your mark? Shine as bright as you can and repel the dark The whispers in one’s ears Braces them for their own fears Lord where does one’s faith lie How much longer must our mother’s cry Like Harry Potter, the name we never speak of Who they whisper, “the devil” I guess they would rather be rebels Words cut sharp like Bevel My faith reaches new levels Lord, Will they love you with greed like Southerners did with cotton? Or celebrate you like a Hall of Famer in Kenny Lofton?   Picture me rolling  25  Trying not to die  But the devil keeps calling me  Can't let temptation get the best of me.  So I swerve on em Break fast 40 yard dash Can I live?  Then out of nowhere he appears again Telling me to get in The car with him I know I shouldn't  But I'm tired of running And I know he is going to keep hunting me down All of a sudden  I hear a voice say wait Don't make  This fatal mistake Think about what you are doing Think about the consequences  And the lives he has ruin I don't want this to be your fate  You were born to be great Now a choice has to be made Give in Or resist  I nervously start looking around  And I found the answer lies on my bracelet WWJD (What would Jesus do?)  From that moment I knew  Which side to choose  The one who gave me life The one who sent His son to make the ultimate sacrifice  My loyalty lies with Jehovah Today I decided to become one of God's soldiers.  Baptize me in your river  Purify my soul  Make me whole  I know this will not be easy  But please bear with me As I navigate through life I will not always do what's right But I promise you that I will try my best To ace this test.  The Silver Lining  Sin is the disease  Love is the cure I've been looking for more I've been looking for more Answers to the questions of life Like when is Jesus coming back? When will I see my loved ones again that have passed? Questions no one has the answers to but I still ask I wish Lucifer never would have gotten jealous of God  I wish he would have realized that there is only one God  I wish Adam never would have bitten the forbidden fruit I wish he would of thought about the consequences before he acted Now we have to deal with the curse of sin For their mistakes But there is beauty in the struggle And love in the pain Because if none of this would have happened all we would know is perfection  Without ever having to work for it We would have possibly taken it for granted  But at least now if we make it God willing We will appreciate life without sin a whole lot more Then before  So for now I will push forward and endure Sin is death Love is life I've been waiting for Christ I've been waiting for Christ. Lord we can’t lose Because we don’t chose The hatred The blue skies have my mind going through the matrix In the presence of the Lord All on one accord The choir’s sweet sentiments strikes my heart’s chord On the way to greatness so all aboard As we watch the skies roll back The love within is full with no lack Of heart Of one another I am the keeper of my brother An essence of my mother I hear the whispers but this isn’t my shining Dressed in all black but within is my silver lining The moment for greatness is a defining one So when Christ returns my presence shines as such.  Worship  Lord forgive me for my sins The hate I withheld from my kin Those late nights’ thoughts of hating her I always felt like she didn’t care I’ll never forget about those freshmen years Lord she broke my heart and left me with some painful tears Lord you broke through the cracks Lord your love never lacks Growing up in the church Afternoons with my cousins on grandma’s porch Under the streetlights Those angels’ lights never shined so bright You brought me through the pain Bare chested with a heart full of stains From the hatred From people letting me down And me letting those same people down Lord I remain your pupil Staring at them Those people are gone and now heavenly stars. God gave me a mind to think Ears to hear Eyes to see  A mouth to speak  Hands to touch  A heart to love And I'm going to use them to lift you up Praise your name  Spread your word  Give people hope  I'm going to share my story  And give you glory By worshiping you Cause you are holy Oh so worthy  Alpha and Omega  The beginning and the end  Yahweh you have been my best friend  And I am honored to worship you  Jehovah  My father My provider  King on the throne You are God and God alone  I will forever love and worship you.  The Mind State of Young Poets: Spring Forward I fought with success Prepared for greatness while others were in recess Neighborhoods flushed with drugs good Lord it looks like a wreck If only people were paid in reality checks rather than refund checks Nothing appears new We all knew The government was out for black men The one shot down the other day was kin Questions arise How much for your soul? It was no surprise The hatred we lived in Parents asking me, “where have I been” Taking away more than they could ever give back A few hundred turns into a few more stacks Comprised in hands Where the power stands Pushing for greatness when nobody is looking out But still the haters question what your true intentions are about Too quick to pull the trigger Whose giving back? Definitely not the rich Negros And when the world asks what’s wrong, why do we remain silent? When we know God is the pilot! We all want more life We all want more time We all need more love We all want less crime. I want more unity in the community More opportunity For you and me To be all we can be. I wish you more success And less stress More wealth and good health More wins And fewer losses For the bosses. Today Do more good than evil Make more peace than war If you can help out the poor Listen more And talk less Think more and react less Do your best God woke you up this morning So you are blessed.

Finally Turning Left Onto Candler Road

Eternal Sunshine I

Living in my eternal sunshine

But still this world is not fine

Young babies are crying

Helping, but no one is trying

Reasons to live are questions

Like why should you be in here?

In my presence

But their not God

Good Lord

These people are lost

Not afraid to sin with no cost

To themselves their God

But in retrospect to it all we’re the same

The anger within can not be tamed

I found myself without a map

All handclaps

From the heavens above

All love

For now it seems

Like the mist in the morning

The steam rises

I am furious

The people are curious

No middle ground to take

Lord who takes the first stride for goodness sake

Once standing in front of the bright lights

Now their the stand-behind-me lights

On the stage of life

It’s just me and my beautiful wife

My eternal sunshine.

Glow

The memoirs

Of the new Mr Christian Dior

Pose to be something great

As my heart beats at a rare rate

Speaking volumes

As my pen releases poetic fumes

Never will I be same

Forgoing the fame

For a chance to be behind the scenes

She was interested in the wrong pair of genes

She wanted me for the wrong thing

A chance for a big house and shining ring

My work is overdue

Wiping off the dust and residue

Making them believe it too

Breaking the hatred like Ndamukong Smh

Such a distinctive sound

I had the world wondering who was heaven bound

I’m the break in the clouds

The silence from my mouth has the world wondering why my mind is so loud.

Exhibit B

They’re wondering where we should go

I just remained true to myself

Dusted my shoulders off as I stand down from the shelf

Overlooking the sunrise coming into view

Such beautiful hues

Thoughts of where the sun went last night left me with no clues

After last season we had fell

But now we’re first to spring up

Rushing into everything that comes into mind

But you wasn’t a hard find

I had seen you once before

The feeling of losing once left my heart sore

Skipping a few beats in the process

But now I’m free to hold your hand during recess.

Do Not Disturb

They’re hitting the curb

But I’m the one out of line

Late nights with my mind on do not disturb

After this night, I’ll never be fine

A few floors up from the rest of the world

I never knew any true good girls

I know a few people who think they can outlast me

But they’re not fast see

A few family members are concerning me

Been thinking about sitting down to talk with a pitch of granny’s sweet tea

Please do not disturb me when I’m like this

Last night heaven came down and gave me a kiss

Under the stars

But still no where close to Mars

All in the plans though

I remember when we thought we would go far though

Still not enough

Pushing for a chance to be great

A few more nights on auto-pilot and-

I’ll get there at this rate

11:00 in Georgia

I keep wishing I cosign from Jorja

But back to the regularly scheduled program.

Free Of Smoke

Lord please do not let me choke

As the dust settles all I see is free smoke

This is the moment where I stand tall

And the only time my knees fall

Is when you receive my prayers

Peeling back all of these layers

I knew before I picked up my pen what had to be done

Out of the backdoor we use to have to run

From the darkness as the streetlights can on

Now I know why my parents told me to be home

Through the backwoods trying to make it back Rome

My words are better in tune

Sincerely yours until they know Sweet Magnolia is coming soon.

Blem

She’s my gem

She’s not with the blem

A free soul to the world

Dancing into the night skies

Under the stars

Setting the world ablaze

Fireflies respect her for the tribute

I never knew an angel like her

It’s unheard at this point

Her body dancing to tides is a dope joint

I know what I like

Love reigning down on me is a signature Cupid strike

I’m blem for real

Nights like this I could never stay still.

4422

I feel you running scared

Like you really never cared

Posted under my arms late at night

Staring into my eyes looking for a different sight

Knowing I was staring deep into your soul

The guilt took it’s toll

You tried to break it up

But the silence had you shut up

Watching the moon as it shined on us

You watched afar as your mind and heart would fuss

You never had a word to say

You searched for reasons to stay

Like a morning ray you would disappear into the night

The feeling to you felt so right

You stalled

Waiting for a certain person but they never called

Holding your fist

You realized your time was fading into the mist

Poised to return to the Lord

Your silence bared a distinct sound just enough to strike my heart’s chord

And when I asked who?

The Lord set me down to read Isaiah 44:22.

Teenage Fever

I must admit you was clever

When we were young you left me with this teenage fever

Our bodies entwined in a conceptualized heat

Moving to our own bodies’ beat

I use to wonder if I gave you all of my love

Would you comfort me?

Staring into your eyes I thought I could predict the future

Teenage love was a part of the culture

And others were just vultures

Lord walking hand and hand through the valley

But we feared not

I knew we were in it for the long haul

But than I never got her call

We were heading to the heavens

Lord how I could I live life without my lucky seven

This spring I’ll keep my eyes closed to the blooms

The air is filled with love’s fumes.

A Pen Letter To Mr. Keeper

This is the tale of a skilled writer

I protest against the future style biters

Lord I pray they listen to these words

Meant to strike feelings and metaphorical chords

Broken promises become fulfilled

A deer caught in the wrong beams avoids being killed

Picking up pieces before they become crumbled

I prayed every night my heart would remain humbled

Against the grain

The tears swept the dryness off of my lips through the rain

I had to make them believe

Their hearts needed to be relieved

Breaking down the gates of hell

One word loaded in a shell

We needed speakers not readers

Following the followers but we needed leaders

The heavens above became irate

Their stories were something I couldn’t narrate

I did what I thought was right

Smile beneath the stress became extra bright

No need for any validation

Broke down the broken dreams for consolidation

Speaking to the heavens for clarity

Lord my tears represent greatness in it’s rarity

An imperfect form

A link from a lost love with an unidentified charm

In my search I found the garden

In my prayers i found my heart no longer harden

My existences is critical

They’re hatred is pitiful

Behold beauty in the eyes of the beholder

Still in a new day their hearts remain colder

Passionfruit

The angels above say, “Oh, what a man!”

Good Lord after my last prayer I say, “Amen”

The thought the failure was deepening

Questions arise about have I been sleeping?

Up before the sunrise to make a simple dollar

The people who hated me before still holler

From the bellows of their soul

The hatred sadly enough has taken it’s toll

Never been this tired before

The pain is vivid enough like sores

I keep wondering when the light will breakthrough

Like whose saving who?

My passion lent me a helping hand

Against the judge and jury my heart remains on the stand

Dreams of being the man

Dreams of being the reason why a young child wanted to be fan

It was never meant for me to be against the world

The thoughts keep my pen in a whirl

Writing what was once on the alls

Like leaves in the autumn my knees fall

The time to be great was yesterday

My breakthrough is like God’s ray

I found my point of no return

The nervous within me are making some good as they churn

My fears were my own Catch-22

I broke the ceiling to greatness at the age of twenty-two

Zombies

Zombies all around me

Lord, is this the life for me?

I can hear them coming

Towards my direction

They can smell my fears

I know they are here

The smell of money

Sticks to their mind like honey

All I see is zombies feeding around me

I yearn to be free

From the grips of society’s reaches

Money hungry leeches

The thirst for acknowledgement

Broken mirrors

Crushed glass

Watching my step with my back facing them

Lord my bended knees are bleeding as I read your divine hymns

I hear their distaste

Running for freedom but I must quick haste

Into the clouds above

Where even zombies receive love.

Blessed

I fought with success

Prepared for greatness when others were in recess

Neighborhoods flushed with drugs good Lord it looks like a wreck

If only people were paid in reality checks rather than refund checks

Nothing appears new

We all knew

The government was out for the black men

One shot down the other day was kin

Questions arise

How much for your soul?

It was no surprise

The hatred we lived in

Parents asking me, “Where have I been?”

Taking away more than they could ever give back

A few hundred turns into a few more stacks

Comprised in hands

Where the power stands

Pushing for greatness when nobody is looking out

But still the haters question what your true intentions are about

Too quick to pull the trigger

Whose giving back?

Definitely not the rich niggers

And when the world asking what’s wrong, why do we remain silent?

When we know God is the pilot!

Fear Not

Yeah I am blessed

I found my path in the sunrise

Good Lord it was no surprise

That one day my mother would give to a nation

Patiently waiting

No time for the masses to be playing

I walked with the ones who were hurt

Lord it’s been years since I spoke with Kurt

Or turned onto Don Juan

All I know is I am falling

Scrolling pass numbers I am no longer calling

My chance to be great wasn’t associate with luck

Out of the masses my number was plucked

Called to be great

In a hate-filled state

I’m outside of the norm

Perfected in form

Making my own plans

Lord I need no fans or stans

Even in pain my words never mumble

Power in my hands as the word crumbles

How could my freedom be an illusion

I see no room just yet for conclusion

Embattled emotions

No longer going through the motions

Eyes all red as my red eye lands

Lord my movement has no room to stand

So Im pushing for multiple outlets

More unity in all so I wish nobody ever calls us a gang

Mysteries unraveled

Old roads traveled were once graveled

Now a new path is created

Ambitions placed on a table where peace and love can be plated.

Chanel

I see both sides like Chanel

These hues in my life are spinning like a carousel

I see both sides of myself

Like a book read from beginning to end on a shelf

Swimming laps in a pool made up of heaven’s clouds

A page torn from a chapter never read aloud

Riding slowly on the side

Where the ocean throws it’s tides

Confusing shades of life’s hues

Green and blue can no longer leave me clues

Pushing pass the moments I’ve lived in

On bended knee asking for forgiveness for my sins

I see both sides of my people

Like a saint on top of a church's steeple

Outside of the norm

Perfected to be fake in their transparent form

Ambition Of A Rider

Lord knows I must to keep going

These past roads kept me slowing

At a stop sign that never existed

Against the grain I resisted

On a path meant for me

Only for my eyes to see

I never knew it would be this hard

I think my younger self picked the wrong card

Under the impression that expression are more than a smile on my face

The day one ambition is more than my own race

Only person sleeping on me is myself

Watching the world beneath while sitting on the shelf

Of course we age like a fine wine

But now it’s my God given right to shine

Lord it’s the birth of new nation

It’s my pure aspiration

Choices made become peace

Oh Lord it’s my sweet release

I haven’t slept since this ordeal started

Running from my fears I ended up being carted

Off of my path set for me

Starring into the mirror I saw who I wanted to be.

Finally Turning Left Onto Candler Road

Feeling so intrigue

Their feeling the fatigue

Their feeling the heat

Following me while I skip keeps the rest off beat

I told my momma I’m about to glow

Cliche individuals still believe they’re going to blow

Under the radar of so many

There is only one of me but that’s plenty

I avoided the shakedown

Emotions within all of us caused a breakdown

Cruising late after midnight

With my eyes shining as bright as the moonlight

The time to rise came to me in a dream

Through my curtains I felt the warmth of sunbeams

But now I’m on bended knee

The pain in me now must flee

Only because I’m about to glow

On new highs while escaping the lows

Now I speak

As my lips leak

My people continue to carry the load

And my faith finally turns left on Candler Road.

In.An.Argument

Changing Lanes

Our service seems to be out of range

Our efforts towards freedom seem to be pocket change

We’re running low on funds

The value of our cities are outweighed by guns

Living young and free

On budgets meant for our kids gone towards Gucci shopping sprees

Lord please

My voice is an order for it all to cease

Life isn’t all sweetness and sugar canes

Too many times we’ve made too many changes in our own lane

We did it all for the fame

This is how far we have came

From door to the bottom of the stoop

Topless coupes

Letting the money fly right out of door

And still our hoods remain poor

They swear things have changed

Only thing different is how our income has become rearranged

Everybody is rapping

Social media condones trapping

Babies mouth barely sustained

Gripping imported leather while wondering what have we truly gained.

High For Hours

Lord I only see the darkness

Every turn of my head

Every blink from my eyes

The pain in my heart is where all lies

So much politics

So many come off corrupt

Speaking to my people’s heart before hatred interrupts

The positivity in our hands

Just watching God’s creation crumble from where I stand

Just watching the hand tick as we embrace this hour of power

Writing for the goodness from being high for hours

Getting off from the whiteness in the ville

Last week, even more black father’s were killed

Reality needs a check

Black people need to realize our lives are in a wreck

With hatred

So I speak to the negativity like,”we need to exchange information”

My freedom rangs from those red clay hills

I found a picture of the movement even though right now everything remains still

If I lose myself in these words

I pray our freedom screams to highest chords

Pulling over the kid in a Honda Accord

Even when they don’t think their being heard, my voice will always be on record.

Drugs

Watching my eyes slip from under the rug

I was addicted to freedom like a drug

Searching for a way from the hurt

As pure as a child of God but still looked at like dirt

Smoking mirrors only showed the pain

The news only showed the children of young mothers slain

Good God where did we go wrong?

Was MLK’s words not our freedom song?

See I have so much on my mind

Wondering what kind of love will I find

The writing was so clear on the walls

A few steps short of the doors before we fell

Pulling back these emotions so the raw state can be seen

The wind carries a sense of trouble enabling my senses to become keen

I heard from the wise man once

Freedom rangs from within us all

It’s only accepted when we pick up the call.

Hush Up The Silence

I wish my people would speak their minds

Be louder than the hatred within

Hush up the silence

Make their pain known through protest

Release the weight on their chest

Unlock the freedom they dream about at night

Gripping the hands of others alike so tight

I know we could one another

If we respected our own mothers

Treated each other like one another’s brother

God’s love is like no others

I came from the red-clay mountains

Where the Yellow River comes through the land like a fountain

The same land of my people

So why can’t we embrace the same place

The same skin color as we stare into each other face

There is no place anymore us to be silent

We must grip the reins in order to be the pilot

Carry our voices over seas

Fireside chats and conversational teas

The time must be spent

For us to find anything remotely free.

InRetroSpect #IRSseason

All We Got

All we got

Though words have never been that hot

I was never that sold

Turned their way I never seen shoulders so cold

Came a long way from the mount

Long Sundays in church with heavenly shouts

Good Lord, look what we have found

Only nodding our heads to the choir's sound

But now we are back

Picking up the crumbles and drifting dress slacks

The same one's from Easter's ago

Please do not pass the shade, "OH NO NO"

Only the stuffing

Winters ago we were only cuffing

Now I'm in love

My feet in the morning set free to soar with dove

Lord I get my work from your sermons

I do not talk to serpents

I have a chance to be great

Not a rapper but a poet is a great start.

Feel It In The Air

I can feel it in the air

I'm wondering if they even care

Knocking at the door like are you even there?

Yeah I wondering is this season even fair

The moments are becoming vital

A smile with a partial dental

There's more to the equation

A little light in the relations

We all are in endanger

Hard knocks from life like Walker Texas Ranger

In my mind it was daring

The emotions were caring

As the turned

The butterflies in my stomach churned

Wondering why there were leaves

Wondering where we left off

The feeling that we broke off

No love running through the lines because the power got shutoff

I can feel that in the air

I'm just here to address the state like the mayor

It's me in my rarest state

I see no stopping at this rate

Family Matters

No matter what frame shatters

Family always matter

That's surely what I was taught

The concept was surely caught

Like trying to catch the leaves before fall left

Then I got this late hit I felt should have been called by ref

Looking up into the heavens for God

With my hands held high

A moment after waiting I felt a heavy sigh

Who do I turn too?

Surburban

Extended stays

I heard the fam was coming home for the holidays

Bringing the greens and beans

All smiles with expressions of being mean

Yeah this season I'm not single

And still I won't allow the potatoes and corn to mingle

Love over hate got me playing tic-tac

The memories as sweet as lilacs

Feeling this seasonal charm

The hugs and kisses keep me warm

The feeling outlasts a day for thanks

Memories I definitely rank

Which one was the greatest

Regardless of the time please forgive me for my latest

Coming through on my own time

As soon as the door opens your hear the chime

I'll be home for the holidays

We on our way

It’s Better This Way

It's better this way

I found my way

Through the storms

On my coldest days I feeling of being warm

On my way to work

Wondering what will work?

No telling when the pain will change

I just knew life was a puzzle that needed to be rearranged

I never gave up on my gift

The words just knew I needed the lift

In a current where your hopes feel adift

But between the odds you find your rift

My mind can't stay still

A dose of realization was my pill

Outside of the norm

Forever found ways to perfect my form

The feeling becomes outlasted

My role can never be casted

Greatness reigns in pen

A power we all hold in our hands

Mama Never Abandon Hope

Mama never always had the money

But she kept life sweet as honey

With my shoes tied I was never tripping

Words of encouragement were so uplifting

They had what I wanted

Jordans seemingly imported

But how could I quit now

I felt so empowered

Outside of the box living with no windows

I saw everything they couldn't see

How much for y'all soul

I know effects take a toll

Pushing out thoughts of greatness

Giving birth to nations

Close ties create long-lasting relations

In the zone

But Lord knows it wasn't because of my skin tone

Blood and sweat

Tears I held back for years

Internal fears

Immersed in thoughts

If the feeling would be caught

Like a fire from within

A heart with a pocket full of tin

Lord I'm giving back to one's who never cared

They were never there

But I can't give up now

A feeling of "wow"

He knew me before I was me

Now I see

We+

We just wanted the power

A little boy across the way was faced as a clown

I saw a car pass him before they shot him down

We just too reckless

But Lord at some point we all will be bless

The greatest story ever told

Lord I carried the heaviest load

From ground zero

The dust settled to show the people’s hero

We brought the culture something lit

But still the hatred made us pay for it

It’s going to take a lot of fight

Victory is slight

Screaming to the skies

Against the lies

The surface was only scratched

The energy wasn’t matched

We came too far to give up

Melrose

I’m like Childish Gambino at Pharos

I’m like a crispy breeze out on Melrose

Entwined in the fabrics of life

I called her my wife

Through the upsides and downs

What’s a king without his crown

From a small town

Where the town’s people are covered in frowns

How dirty they appear

Butterflies dare not fly in their stomachs

Only fear exist

Is there a way out?

Who dares to stand out and shout?

From the highest mountain

Or lowest valley

A love covered in doubt

Once again, I ask what is this about?

Like the sun gently approaching my face

I say awaken my love

Awaken now!

4 Da Squaw

Is this for the squaw?

We all possess the same flaws

The same skin tone

I remember those late nights alone

When outside was the coldest

And it was only my ambitions keeping me up

An empty cup on the side

A pen and a sheet of paper

A lone wolf looking for a cheap taper

A line to give me a decent look

Oh Lord was this what it took

For me to get this far

A little closer to my grandmother’s star

Trying to survive the norm

Only praying to perfect my form

If I survive the night

Only on a slight prayer

The street ain’t getting cleaned by our mayor

So I know we aren’t good

I remember my first step where we all once stood

Working for the people

Is this for the squaw?

Foreclosure

My tears are as cold as Colorado’s boulders

This life keeps my freedom trapped in these foreclosures

I can barely walk a tightrope

One wrong step over these slippery slopes

Hands up but we still choke

Flashing lights in front of us as our fears soak

Once heard success was a precious jewel

Then I found out people could be so cruel

Let my presence be their light

Looks from the coldest come off of so slight

Mama told me and now I believe she was right

Staring at the world from both sides

As successful as Alabama from both sides

Please know I’m not trying to be offensive

Then turn around and get defensive

From humble beginnings

I guess they can say I’m deep in my feelings

Living in the present

Only to unwrap my blessing in the future

The negative remarks were the last

I just foreclosed on my past

Never Settle

Early mornings hearing the kettle

Sweat dreams turned into reality so I never settle

Working towards the greatness

Never forgave myself for the lateness

So I worked hard

I thought I pulled the right card

Letting the jitters settled down from within

I prayed for the betterment of my kin

We all fell short of sin

On bended knee asking for forgiveness

As the wind blows God leaves me with a sweet kiss

Views from the promise land

Footprints of memories left from where granny use to stand

Yeah I know she’s told the angels about her little grown man

How could he have so much heart like little Kevin

Who would have known I would have a plug in heaven?

Unexplained writings on the wall

Like the way leaves blow in the fall

All in

#TheyDontKnowJonBLikeMe

They Don’t Know Jon B Like Me

Way Back

These feelings go way back

The words seem to always lack

Deep down trying to track the cause

I can’t get no rest from this pause

Every moment

Every thought fathomed

About then

And about now

If I knew what god knew

My mind probably would have blew

Up into heavens

Where dreams keep us believing

Bending way, way back

For the moment to hold you in my arms

The touch endured feels so warm

You tripped love’s client alarm

I never knew you would come into my life

Lose

A life you chose

For so much to lose

We were so close

The pain taken was a heavy dose

Steady with what you do

Steady with what you chose

So impulsive

Lord how could we not wait?

The beauty was the bait

Only as young as a morning sun

Before the rays kiss the heavens above

The lost of love

Before we actually knew

What to do?

Grateful

Lord I’m grateful

For the one’s so hateful

Staring deep into their eyes

You showed me their lies

How could they be afraid of dying?

The coldness in their hearts already shows

They died a long time ago

Against the grain

Against the window as it rains

Watching the horizon above as my Lord reins

The tears on my body never stains

Cruising the same roads as my people

Watching the same the skies as their pupils

Walked the same roads

Listened to the same words told

How did we get to this point

How did our peace become rolled into a joint

After the peace is gone

The pain continues to set the tone

The endless pursuit for perfection

Lost in another’s subjection

But the sun rises above me

As your love rains plentiful

Goosebumps

I get those goosebumps every time

She’s worth more than those dimes

I saw my future walk into my life

Wounds healed from my past knife

Her beauty takes me to another place

Her body must be laced

A drug not meant for my heart

But a simple hey would be a good start

Like where you been all my life

Easing my inner strife

A quick release

But her purpose in my life is more than to please

Saving me from myself

Turning away from the top shelf

It’s more than about me

As the heavens above begin to open I start to see

The pain lift away from me

The greatness within that’s soon to be

God’s blessing known as “we"

Through The Late Nights

Late nights like these

Living a life so hard to please

Every hour unseemly torn between the two

The humbleness or fame

Which road must one take

Speeding completely out of control without a brake

I wish I had known

About those nights alone

How could I control my destiny

Lost in the flesh and the vanity

Time lost in ripples of Bombay

Boarding on a plane most only wish to be on

Trying to find my balance

Trying to find my palace

A living legend before the legacy

A king during his regency

Against the grain we must maintain

No emotions shown but only to detain

Can’t Let The Summer

Miss Cherokee

This summer as set me free

From times when I felt alone

Until I heard your voice on my phone

The sweetest in your tone

But I fear the summer is almost gone

And lately I have been annoying it

The time spent between us

I can’t let the summer go

The moments with you have enclosed me

A letter I wrote with my words

The feelings deep down used as a sweet chord

Playing the dreams in my head

Instead,

Of going to you immediately

And telling you what you do

To me,

Time slips through my hand

But I can’t allow yours to do the same

Oh the blame

I can’t the summer go

Miss Cherokee

Fifteen 4our 15

We’re Hurting

I started to write my wrongs

Then this life goes on

I remember when I barely had enough for rent

Lord my family was truly heaven sent

No longer afraid

I asked for forgiveness and my sins were paid

Things changed

Relationships became rearranged

I divulged my pain

Prayed to the heavens for God’s rain

Every word could potentially free us

Given a chance for others

A blessing for my hurting brothers.

  Grass Ain’t Greener

The world is way meaner

The grass isn’t always greener

Chasing dreams

Lost under these ultralight beams

Searching for a way through the storms

The rain swarms

Thoughts racing

The people are gone I was once chasing

Footprints in the sand disappeared

Memories of her reappeared

All of these lines crossed

Thoughts of her treating me wrong were tossed

I never thought it wouldn’t happen

I was her present that God was wrapping

But somewhere we went adrift

My future is no longer her gift

Every night of baby making

Later only brought about my heart breaking.

  Folgers Crystal

I can be the change they prayed to see

For my people who I prayed one day will free

Last night I tossed and turned

Emotions run deep when the hatred has been churned

Opened up about the pain endured

Nothing fresher could have come from it

The results of true grit

Worked hard for my people to believe

The dreams that God had me to conceive

I’m the nigga regardless of what success I achieve

Moments given to allow that message to be received

I’m the brown sugar she needs

I’m fighting for the respect of my family creed

A birth of a nation

With diversity of no relation

Speaking so fearlessly

Like breathing on my neck I feel their jealousy

My ambitions were opposed

On the wrong side they supposed

I guess some people can’t handle the truth

These words against their pain I pray God can sooth

Purpose

I need no validated

God’s purpose for me was already calculated

Now I move with aggression

Looking from the bottom I only see progression

On a purposeful mission

Through my eyes I see God’s vision

I pray these blessings never change

The feeling of not being near my purpose forced me out of range

It’s easy to dream

But God’s question to me was I willing to chase those ultralight beams

Will I love God for his ambitions?

It’s my time to flourish through this poetic audition

Giving my all to the people that never listen

Regardless of the rejection my words glisten

The words rain down like blessings

So many concerns within in me God has been addressing

  The Jig Is Up

Prays to the all High

Can you believe?

Between the concrete and skies can you breathe?

Outside the lines

We was never fine

Their words rushed inside of our minds

Screaming it’s a “stick up!”

We allowed them to take over

How unlucky we stood out like a clover

Looking for a way out

Giving prays as I shout

No longer can we run away

The jig is up

Let my blessings overflow my cup

Driving pass my own

Reaping what has been sown

Outside of my norm

Only way to bring in my best form

  Illusion Of Freedom

Behind this cage

I am so enrage

Watching these beautiful hues manifest

My soul seems to never rest

Lord must I confess

More or less

I pray God that he bless

Me

For the moment to break free

This is my decree

For peace

Oh the sweet release

From the dungeon within

My words cut deep

The late nights possess no sleep

How could I be so deep?

Lord know I never picked up the shovel

My hands free of the gravel

The outside of me was just a cover

A panoramic lover

From side to side

Conceived within my heart was a tide

Of emotions

Repeated motions

    Are You With Me?

Are you with me?

You keep telling me someday I’ll see it

The pain I express is my true grit

Staring into the rearview your appearance never showed up

Such a cold world

Your warmth was needed

All these games you’re playing

All these appearances you’re slaying

All your rights feel wrong

I just wish you would come along

All your rights feel wrong

I guess that’s why I feel left out

Is my presence hazy to you?

Like transparent now where I once was all you needed

Lord knows I pleaded

I can’t keep going where you’re no longer at

But I have to keep going where I meant too

  A Killer

This anger is my concealer

But these words could be their killer

Listening as the world chimes in

Questions arise like, where have you been?

Against the grain

It continues to rain

At the crown of my head

Anointed by his grace

That's even more people against my own race

The pain is coming so I prepare to embrace

Staring in the eyes of my own

This hatred is deeply sown

Outside of my own lines

I lied if I said I was fine

Walking on unpaved roads

I can’t keep writing these freedom odes

Like someday we’ll be set free

For decades we’ve heard this decree

Lately I’ve been wondering where I could go in this life with name like Ben Stiller

But this skin color keeps me tied up with these killers.

  We Grew Up Too Fast

We grew up way too fast

We finally found greatness at last

Finally they can’t knock the hustle

Ever since March 22, I’ve been praying for Brussel

How I got this knowledge is wild

Grew up being the only child

Against the wind I stood strong for you

Like the skies in the heavens I always felt blue

My mama never had a clue

Running scared throughout these lanes

Memories I couldn’t escape

The words I couldn’t define

About the people who continued to cross those lines

Behind the scenes

The same blood and genes

  Glory Days

Lord have mercy on me

I pray the world sees what you see

Raising my hands to give you glory

The beginning of a refined man’s story

Dreams of living stories above

I keep hearing it’s all love

From the very people stabbing me

I guess they wish to never see me free

Giving my pain to the church

As my people remain on their perch

My tears flood the altar

Lord where did I falter?

Raising my hands to the man above

Where he only loves

The main reason

More than just for one season

My own brother’s keeper must have committed treason

Let my prayers act as rain for our dry season

 The angels in heaven have signed our name

Just blessed to know how far I have came

  Barry White

A little Barry White

Lord blessed us with heavens so bright

Let these words become my fire

Way too many liars

Speaking the truth for people to hear

Laying down my insecurities and fear

Stroking the pen with these thoughts

Amazing how these metaphors wasn’t caught

Pure as white

As smooth as Barry White

In between the lines possess something deep

I use to write before I went to sleep

Nowadays it’s always

Greatness within me is something I pray stays

Chancing dreams was something I feared

Than God’s blessings appeared

The story of a refined man

A small circle with a few fans

Play hard like Jerry Rice

As smooth as Barry White

  Tomorrow

Living as a legend

My purpose is at God’s discretion

Life through my eyes is my perception

The writing on the wall is my conception

No time to waste

All abroad the clouds I must make haste

Cruising on cloud nine

The thought of us being perfectly fine

And what if tomorrow never comes

What will we do instead?

A few ideas comes to my head

Living with no regrets

Like when we first met

It’s so simple as day and night

But as rare as a magnolia flower shining so bright

  Lil Ghetto Nigga

Lord let me be like Michael

Going through these cycles

Running scared

I thought my people never cared

Rather or not I make it out

Mom use to ask me, what is that attitude about?

These dreams I’m dreaming

For the ambition that keeps me daydreaming

Working against the odds they say I never had

Lord thank you for giving a great dad

The hues in my skies

The cues in their lies

A couple of stories never told

Decades of my people being sold

I know it gets better

Just know as my words anoint this letter

  Avant Garde

Praying these words stick

G.O.M.D.

Pain cuts deep for me

My heart is praying to be free

On the run

From these slave masters

These worldly possessions stated by my pastor

Everybody run there’s a disaster

My love might outlast her

Temporary chance to come correct

Someday my heart might resurrect

From the ashes burning in the night sky

From the pen held in my hand

Outside of the hype

My style doesn’t fit their stereotype

Speaking on dreams not seen by them

Walking representation of their favorite hymn

Secrets of the heart that I must guard

Tapping into my avant-garde

Outside of the norm

Perfecting these form.

  Visions

Its been my pleasure Turned from a hard head into a diamond from the pressure So unbalanced from standing upright From the heavens I shined so bright Lately it's been raining And my people are still complaining Their still acting like pack mules Reckless without any rules The world is no longer amused Head shaking we are all confused I wish I could change the perception Lost in the mountains I have no reception I thought I had the solution But my positive thinking was seen as straight pollution Gray skies Mouthed full of lies Where our ambition seems to die On cloud nine where I only wish to fly And I found my way next to a pair of lucky sevens My grandma found her way to heaven I will never leave you Memories play like records within Just the beginning but never fin Like dove wings once soaring Praying for chances to someday become foreign I wished you believed Someday I'll be relieved  

Born Sinner

Born Sinner

It’s way darker than last time

The wind that once carried my people no longer blows the chimes

Sometimes I lose my focus

The reflection of myself disappears like hocus pocus

Dreams of riding in the presidential motorcade

Ousted for recognition and fame for future decades

How much trouble could I be in?

On Sundays listening to the preacher scream on being born into sin

Only Lord knows

My mother use to worry about us one day being poor

Only to found out angels existed in our family

Grandma giving up her last dollars to see us thrive

Knowledge for success shadowed by my overseers kept me deprive

Big bank takes little bank which caused my ship to sank

In a world where my skin color and place of origin determined my rank

In a society where was the rose in the cracks

Negativity around me from people kept my mind racing like I was running track

We knew we was born sinners

Scratching for a quick buck hoping I could be a winner

Yeah money runs the world

And the fears of not being able to survive

Keeps me up all night

Worrying about someday I could be her knight

But besides the cause

In the bible lies my contractual clause

About where my blessings come from

And how my purpose is to come.

Rich Niggaz

I hate rich niggas

My wordplay from within raises my metaphorical trigger

Slipping into my unintended materialistic ways

Pulling on my heartstrings as my mind wishes to stay

Worried about how my bills will be paid

I knew I shouldn’t had stayed

Walking with people afraid of change

In a lifestyle where my mind is definitely out of range

Lord knows I should walk in my own lane

These thoughts of mines prepared to take off on this one-way plane

From the norms  

My walk with God seems torn

A poor boy from the suburbs

Remembering nights sitting under lights on the curbs

My pulse is beginning to escalate

My pockets are slipping as I dream of one day owning an escalade

The world whispering about what I want

It keeps saying it has what I need

But I can’t sell my soul

Thoughts of my ancestors of having their sold

No control of theirs

But I know I can make things change

My thoughts seem no longer out of range

Sowed at the seams

Why does this world seem so content with selling dreams?

False hope shadows their judgment

But not mines.

I wish money grew on trees 

So I could give some to all the people in need 

Just think of all the mouths we could feed 

All the people who would succeed 

If money grew on trees 

Even though this world bleeds 

Because of Greed 

We're going to keep on fighting like Creed

I hate how the rich and bourgeoisie Feel like they have the right to look down on me Just cause we're not in the same tax bracket Thinking to myself you can't bring all of this stuff with you in the casket That is why I don't put my value in the material Because what truly matters is the spiritual Your so busy buying everything your heart desires But what your heart truly requires is love Which you don't get enough of So you buy shoes and clothes to cover up the pain inside But that stuff can't cure your soul And you can't hide What your eyes show I can tell you been battling with this on your own So that's why I give you a pass When you act like your better than me because your in a higher class Because deep down I know you want what I have Internal wealth Because I know God and Self So it's all good I don't need your help Because I got something that can't be bought or sold No amount of money can buy love So there is no need for me to hate Cause that would mean taking the devil's bait I know I'm destined to be great God knows my fate I was born a sinner Hoping to be resurrected as a winner With the saints At those pearly gates.

Miss America

Loaded thoughts in these once empty clip

The ink has started to leak from the tip

Patiently waiting on my time to shine

When you’re doing great everything is fine

But when you’re down and out

Wondering each day what’s this all about

Building off the pressure

The thought of being great turns into it, "being my pleasure"

These are all petty thoughts

Looking at my light to see who has been caught

Just praying as I sail to greatness my time never crosses life’s iceberg

Bad times laced with old world proverbs

On bended knee trying to propose to Miss America

Hoping she accepts me for me

But there's millions of others trying to be loved

And millions of others speaking to their beloved

These are all petty thoughts

Just amazing how false hope has kept us caught

Crooked Smile

Lord bless that crooked smile

I know the journey has been some miles

On her way down

She walked pass her king's crown

Worried about what she’s packing

The world told her about everything she was lacking

But I never saw something as beautiful

God just added the right amount of love

No flaws

Her passion within was so raw

Regardless of what the world had to say

She never ran away but she knew to stay

Endure the storm that approached her

All natural as the color of her hair

When her faith seemed tested

She never forgot about her blesseth

Trying to compete with the rest was unneeded

The love within her regardless was untested

Like the sun approaching the morning skies

If someone told her she was less than her worth it was all lies

I know it’s been a while

But I would love to see her crooked smile

Forbidden Fruit

Laying in the garden

Of the dearly departed

In remembrance of Adam and Eve

My mom told me about that very eve

The bite of the forbidden fruit

Oh how could we commit such a simple but deadly act of sin?

Thoughts of where my heart had been

Under her forbidden fruit

The consumption of poison love into my very existence

Where art thou?

Once I leave this garden already painted with deception

I know I shouldn’t have laid myself in her

Just praying my seeds of love don’t root themselves within her

We just kids ourselves

Listening to the lust within

The thought of being a god myself

Oh how the world would accept me for acting upon

A certain lust for life

But how could I be more than who I already am?

False pride mixed with over confident manhood

The way people would perceive

I wonder how I would be received

But Lord knows I’m not ready for her to conceive

My words to her before were meant to deceive……….

Bad Religion

While heaven above plays sweet harmonies

Never will God allow anybody to harm me

Faith without works is dead

Working in the gardens of Eden instead

I could never make this world love me

The process of loving myself begins

Cultivating the rows of memories that meant the most

The family I seemed to lost I began to bring them close

The sweat from my forehead quenches the thirst of my seeds

My future

Weathering the storms whether or not it brings me to my knees

Are we truly free?

From the hardship of my ancestors’ master

On the faces of mothers with loss children you can see it all plaster

We all wear mask of pain in while we endure

We try to escape it with love as a drug so pure

The cause is unknown

Until God shows our hiding places and our cover is blown

The pressure is deep

The roots grow from tears as they drop into the ground where they seep

If God is not who we worship

Then who are glorifying in the mirror?

Ourselves as man who hate at the same time!

This dishonor bring me to my knees

How can we serve such bad religion?

I can never make them love me until I love my God

My father and mother

Myself

This feeling has me feeling the way I do

For reasons once unknown

Cause for concern begins to set the tone

My people slandered with passing curses  

Those young black men begin to pile up in passing hearses  

Such a bad religion they serve

Once a straight path we walked now turns into a blinding curve