[Music] my mom was on drugs for most of my life
my mom was on drugs for most of my life
my mom was on drugs for most of my life my brother my brother died of brain
my brother my brother died of brain
my brother my brother died of brain cancer in 1996 my father was never
cancer in 1996 my father was never
cancer in 1996 my father was never around that’s my apartment complex when
around that’s my apartment complex when
around that’s my apartment complex when I was younger its condemned it should
I was younger its condemned it should
I was younger its condemned it should have been condemned in this is my
have been condemned in this is my
have been condemned in this is my photography everyone please say see me
photography everyone please say see me
photography everyone please say see me then I was always kind of different I
then I was always kind of different I
then I was always kind of different I was running from home I felt like
was running from home I felt like
was running from home I felt like everybody close to me was doing me wrong
everybody close to me was doing me wrong
everybody close to me was doing me wrong a lot of people didn’t see me I traveled
a lot of people didn’t see me I traveled
a lot of people didn’t see me I traveled alone I named myself odd rod when I was
alone I named myself odd rod when I was
alone I named myself odd rod when I was out of my own and while my friends were
out of my own and while my friends were
out of my own and while my friends were selling drugs I was studying math why
selling drugs I was studying math why
selling drugs I was studying math why would I worsen a condition that was
would I worsen a condition that was
would I worsen a condition that was already bad you see if everybody’s cool
already bad you see if everybody’s cool
already bad you see if everybody’s cool then I’d rather be hot I could never let
then I’d rather be hot I could never let
then I’d rather be hot I could never let my image be a person I’m not a notice it
my image be a person I’m not a notice it
my image be a person I’m not a notice it was poetry you should have seen me then
was poetry you should have seen me then
was poetry you should have seen me then searching for a way to beat the drum I
searching for a way to beat the drum I
searching for a way to beat the drum I was in crack it stole my momma I don’t
was in crack it stole my momma I don’t
was in crack it stole my momma I don’t know what stole my daddy but you asked
know what stole my daddy but you asked
know what stole my daddy but you asked me what I died for them and I will tell
me what I died for them and I will tell
me what I died for them and I will tell you gladly forgiveness in this warrior
you gladly forgiveness in this warrior
you gladly forgiveness in this warrior was troubled when I came but I’ve been
was troubled when I came but I’ve been
was troubled when I came but I’ve been writing poetry before I knew her name
writing poetry before I knew her name
writing poetry before I knew her name you got to hit my story see I’m prepared
you got to hit my story see I’m prepared
you got to hit my story see I’m prepared to fight I had a lot of lonely days in
to fight I had a lot of lonely days in
to fight I had a lot of lonely days in suicidal nights but God allowed me
suicidal nights but God allowed me
suicidal nights but God allowed me poetry he said that I’m his prince that
poetry he said that I’m his prince that
poetry he said that I’m his prince that though I wasn’t meant to be I’m still no
though I wasn’t meant to be I’m still no
though I wasn’t meant to be I’m still no accident so when I write I’m living
accident so when I write I’m living
accident so when I write I’m living breath being my pen I was dead before
breath being my pen I was dead before
breath being my pen I was dead before all they should have seen me then and
all they should have seen me then and
all they should have seen me then and now to reach my city I scroll down
now to reach my city I scroll down
now to reach my city I scroll down survival I got them trying to bootleg
survival I got them trying to bootleg
survival I got them trying to bootleg poems before the books arrival their
poems before the books arrival their
poems before the books arrival their kids are looking at me my past provides
kids are looking at me my past provides
kids are looking at me my past provides their future lyrically murdered in their
their future lyrically murdered in their
their future lyrically murdered in their rooms and I’ve been named the shooter I
rooms and I’ve been named the shooter I
rooms and I’ve been named the shooter I claim full responsibility the blood is
claim full responsibility the blood is
claim full responsibility the blood is on my hands I’m writing things in ways
on my hands I’m writing things in ways
on my hands I’m writing things in ways that all my people understand and we’re
that all my people understand and we’re
that all my people understand and we’re about no critics one level with no
about no critics one level with no
about no critics one level with no scholars and you can see accomplishments
scholars and you can see accomplishments
scholars and you can see accomplishments through medals on my collar the silver
through medals on my collar the silver
through medals on my collar the silver hands for lives I saved the golden wings
hands for lives I saved the golden wings
hands for lives I saved the golden wings for flight the Purple Heart for loving
for flight the Purple Heart for loving
for flight the Purple Heart for loving those who didn’t treat me right so lay
those who didn’t treat me right so lay
those who didn’t treat me right so lay your eyes upon me and tell me that
your eyes upon me and tell me that
your eyes upon me and tell me that you’re proud instead of being dead or
you’re proud instead of being dead or
you’re proud instead of being dead or jailed I’ve been rocking crowds and that
jailed I’ve been rocking crowds and that
jailed I’ve been rocking crowds and that is rare where I come from survival is
is rare where I come from survival is
is rare where I come from survival is unheard not everyone is blessed to be
unheard not everyone is blessed to be
unheard not everyone is blessed to be immortalized in words
immortalized in words
immortalized in words thus I live forever my losses carry
thus I live forever my losses carry
thus I live forever my losses carry winds because I’ve come from nothing and
winds because I’ve come from nothing and
winds because I’ve come from nothing and you should have seen me then
[Applause]
[Applause] then I was broken I was suicidal when my
then I was broken I was suicidal when my
then I was broken I was suicidal when my brother died of brain cancer I felt like
brother died of brain cancer I felt like
brother died of brain cancer I felt like it couldn’t be that hard to die I wanted
it couldn’t be that hard to die I wanted
it couldn’t be that hard to die I wanted to go with him everyone please say stay
to go with him everyone please say stay
to go with him everyone please say stay with feet that leave the chair you hear
with feet that leave the chair you hear
with feet that leave the chair you hear the tightening of the rope a grip that
the tightening of the rope a grip that
the tightening of the rope a grip that catches neck and hair but fails to
catches neck and hair but fails to
catches neck and hair but fails to capture hope there’s no antidote to
capture hope there’s no antidote to
capture hope there’s no antidote to suicide besides you loving you you’re
suicide besides you loving you you’re
suicide besides you loving you you’re the sum of all the things your life has
the sum of all the things your life has
the sum of all the things your life has brought you through and yes we need you
brought you through and yes we need you
brought you through and yes we need you here we do your presence has no question
here we do your presence has no question
here we do your presence has no question you’re thinking you should leave here
you’re thinking you should leave here
you’re thinking you should leave here we’re thinking that you mustn’t it’s
we’re thinking that you mustn’t it’s
we’re thinking that you mustn’t it’s okay to discuss it sometimes you have to
okay to discuss it sometimes you have to
okay to discuss it sometimes you have to cry
cry
cry the people who remove themselves regret
the people who remove themselves regret
the people who remove themselves regret the day they die for there’s no chance
the day they die for there’s no chance
the day they die for there’s no chance to fix tomorrow if tomorrow isn’t here
to fix tomorrow if tomorrow isn’t here
to fix tomorrow if tomorrow isn’t here they think of how they’re needed right
they think of how they’re needed right
they think of how they’re needed right before they disappear and I remember all
before they disappear and I remember all
before they disappear and I remember all my darker days I thought to take me down
my darker days I thought to take me down
my darker days I thought to take me down I even wrote the letter that they find
I even wrote the letter that they find
I even wrote the letter that they find when I was found I often fantasize my
when I was found I often fantasize my
when I was found I often fantasize my funeral the sounds of disbelief cars
funeral the sounds of disbelief cars
funeral the sounds of disbelief cars with flashing hazard lights parading
with flashing hazard lights parading
with flashing hazard lights parading through the streets but I felt better
through the streets but I felt better
through the streets but I felt better keeping me because I ran into my purpose
keeping me because I ran into my purpose
keeping me because I ran into my purpose I saved me to let you know that keeping
I saved me to let you know that keeping
I saved me to let you know that keeping you is worth it I’ve seen funerals of
you is worth it I’ve seen funerals of
you is worth it I’ve seen funerals of co-workers that I had once befriended
co-workers that I had once befriended
co-workers that I had once befriended they went and punched a time clock way
they went and punched a time clock way
they went and punched a time clock way before their shift that ended left their
before their shift that ended left their
before their shift that ended left their children and their friends their parents
children and their friends their parents
children and their friends their parents and their wives left them all with all
and their wives left them all with all
and their wives left them all with all these questions billing rivers from
these questions billing rivers from
these questions billing rivers from their eyes among us are those people who
their eyes among us are those people who
their eyes among us are those people who have secretly been hurting we never know
have secretly been hurting we never know
have secretly been hurting we never know until they go and hang themselves like
until they go and hang themselves like
until they go and hang themselves like curtains the saddest of the draperies a
curtains the saddest of the draperies a
curtains the saddest of the draperies a curtain shouldn’t found we wonder why
curtain shouldn’t found we wonder why
curtain shouldn’t found we wonder why they did it when we go to pull them down
they did it when we go to pull them down
they did it when we go to pull them down I’m awfully glad I stayed around because
I’m awfully glad I stayed around because
I’m awfully glad I stayed around because I see that I was meant my momma tells me
I see that I was meant my momma tells me
I see that I was meant my momma tells me all the time that I was having sent that
all the time that I was having sent that
all the time that I was having sent that she was feeling spent and she was
she was feeling spent and she was
she was feeling spent and she was feeling low and she would talk to God
feeling low and she would talk to God
feeling low and she would talk to God like I’m about to let this go so you can
like I’m about to let this go so you can
like I’m about to let this go so you can have this back I’ll lead this life no
have this back I’ll lead this life no
have this back I’ll lead this life no more and you don’t have to send for me
more and you don’t have to send for me
more and you don’t have to send for me I’ll meet you at your door but she
I’ll meet you at your door but she
I’ll meet you at your door but she decided not and she fought through it
decided not and she fought through it
decided not and she fought through it all and that is one more life that we
all and that is one more life that we
all and that is one more life that we don’t have to see recalled and I
don’t have to see recalled and I
don’t have to see recalled and I remained as well and that has made me
remained as well and that has made me
remained as well and that has made me grow I share with folks my life and
grow I share with folks my life and
grow I share with folks my life and they’ve been calling this a show now she
they’ve been calling this a show now she
they’ve been calling this a show now she sits on that road and I stand on this
sits on that road and I stand on this
sits on that road and I stand on this stage and everything we are is because
stage and everything we are is because
stage and everything we are is because we made the choice to stay so stay
when I was younger my mom would always
when I was younger my mom would always tell me that she was gonna write Oprah
tell me that she was gonna write Oprah
tell me that she was gonna write Oprah my mom did not graduate high school and
my mom did not graduate high school and
my mom did not graduate high school and she wasn’t the best writer so when she
she wasn’t the best writer so when she
she wasn’t the best writer so when she would tell me that I was like I don’t
would tell me that I was like I don’t
would tell me that I was like I don’t know what that letters gonna look like
know what that letters gonna look like
know what that letters gonna look like mama and she would always tell me that
mama and she would always tell me that
mama and she would always tell me that and I thought it was just nothing and
and I thought it was just nothing and
and I thought it was just nothing and then as I grew older she said it again
then as I grew older she said it again
then as I grew older she said it again and I was like I understand you everyone
and I was like I understand you everyone
and I was like I understand you everyone please say her wish mama remember when
please say her wish mama remember when
please say her wish mama remember when you said you wish you could write Oprah
you said you wish you could write Oprah
you said you wish you could write Oprah I knew what you were saying we had a
I knew what you were saying we had a
I knew what you were saying we had a moment on that sofa
moment on that sofa
moment on that sofa I had the attention of a cobra in the
I had the attention of a cobra in the
I had the attention of a cobra in the presence of a charmer I saw me as your
presence of a charmer I saw me as your
presence of a charmer I saw me as your crop I saw you as my farmer every mother
crop I saw you as my farmer every mother
crop I saw you as my farmer every mother in this world believes their baby is a
in this world believes their baby is a
in this world believes their baby is a star so they pushed him to pianos and
star so they pushed him to pianos and
star so they pushed him to pianos and they stick them with guitars but mom you
they stick them with guitars but mom you
they stick them with guitars but mom you wanted Oprah and I imagine with you that
wanted Oprah and I imagine with you that
wanted Oprah and I imagine with you that moment thinking if I had the chance my
moment thinking if I had the chance my
moment thinking if I had the chance my confidence will let me own it you watch
confidence will let me own it you watch
confidence will let me own it you watch me overcome opponents even when you
me overcome opponents even when you
me overcome opponents even when you stood as one I used to hate to pass you
stood as one I used to hate to pass you
stood as one I used to hate to pass you by on the streets when I was young when
by on the streets when I was young when
by on the streets when I was young when I was young I took my writing and used
I was young I took my writing and used
I was young I took my writing and used that to save my life
that to save my life
that to save my life I took a suicidal poem and wrote away
I took a suicidal poem and wrote away
I took a suicidal poem and wrote away from suicide I know you’d love to
from suicide I know you’d love to
from suicide I know you’d love to contact Oprah you are not the best at
contact Oprah you are not the best at
contact Oprah you are not the best at letters I see you looking at the phone
letters I see you looking at the phone
letters I see you looking at the phone as if a call would be much better you
as if a call would be much better you
as if a call would be much better you want the world to know your help or you
want the world to know your help or you
want the world to know your help or you say the city’s not enough for there are
say the city’s not enough for there are
say the city’s not enough for there are folks who grab your ankles when they see
folks who grab your ankles when they see
folks who grab your ankles when they see you rising up you say that if we contact
you rising up you say that if we contact
you rising up you say that if we contact Oprah you get far son you get far and I
Oprah you get far son you get far and I
Oprah you get far son you get far and I can’t wait for you to show the world
can’t wait for you to show the world
can’t wait for you to show the world what soldiers do with scars or what
what soldiers do with scars or what
what soldiers do with scars or what Walker’s do with cars or what drivers do
Walker’s do with cars or what drivers do
Walker’s do with cars or what drivers do it planes you let these people know your
it planes you let these people know your
it planes you let these people know your story if they never know your name you
story if they never know your name you
story if they never know your name you show the world what you’ve been through
show the world what you’ve been through
show the world what you’ve been through baby and I’m gonna contact Oprah I
baby and I’m gonna contact Oprah I
baby and I’m gonna contact Oprah I wanted this when you were young I want
wanted this when you were young I want
wanted this when you were young I want it more now that you’re older you have
it more now that you’re older you have
it more now that you’re older you have more Angels on your shoulder I’ve been
more Angels on your shoulder I’ve been
more Angels on your shoulder I’ve been clean for many years I used to walk the
clean for many years I used to walk the
clean for many years I used to walk the streets alone at night with dreams of
streets alone at night with dreams of
streets alone at night with dreams of being here had no idea of all the hurt I
being here had no idea of all the hurt I
being here had no idea of all the hurt I caused I’m sorry for the strife I’m
caused I’m sorry for the strife I’m
caused I’m sorry for the strife I’m overjoyed you took the pain and made
overjoyed you took the pain and made
overjoyed you took the pain and made yourself a better life I had the best of
yourself a better life I had the best of
yourself a better life I had the best of riders ride and got no diploma from no
riders ride and got no diploma from no
riders ride and got no diploma from no school but everything I never did I feel
school but everything I never did I feel
school but everything I never did I feel I’ve done it all through you you best
I’ve done it all through you you best
I’ve done it all through you you best believe I’m going right Oprah might not
believe I’m going right Oprah might not
believe I’m going right Oprah might not spill my words correct but she will
spill my words correct but she will
spill my words correct but she will understand my heart because that’s all
understand my heart because that’s all
understand my heart because that’s all that I have left I’ve been to jail and
that I have left I’ve been to jail and
that I have left I’ve been to jail and I’ve been back I got some friends that’s
I’ve been back I got some friends that’s
I’ve been back I got some friends that’s still on crack I Drive the streets I’ve
still on crack I Drive the streets I’ve
still on crack I Drive the streets I’ve walked in that as proof that God will
walked in that as proof that God will
walked in that as proof that God will build from scratch and I know just what
build from scratch and I know just what
build from scratch and I know just what you mean mama your journey made us
you mean mama your journey made us
you mean mama your journey made us closer you don’t forget to ride because
closer you don’t forget to ride because
closer you don’t forget to ride because you made it off the coaster
you made it off the coaster
you made it off the coaster I wrote my story out on paper now they
I wrote my story out on paper now they
I wrote my story out on paper now they put my face on posters I show up at all
put my face on posters I show up at all
put my face on posters I show up at all my shows like mama I can’t wait to show
my shows like mama I can’t wait to show
my shows like mama I can’t wait to show us we made the very best of life we have
us we made the very best of life we have
us we made the very best of life we have them chapters closing over in a book
them chapters closing over in a book
them chapters closing over in a book that’ll save some lies mama even if we
that’ll save some lies mama even if we
that’ll save some lies mama even if we don’t reach Oprah
don’t reach Oprah
don’t reach Oprah [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] my mom isn’t clean for 12 years now son
my mom isn’t clean for 12 years now son
my mom isn’t clean for 12 years now son believable such a blessing she decided
believable such a blessing she decided
believable such a blessing she decided she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner a
she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner a
she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago it was a big deal my
few years ago it was a big deal my
few years ago it was a big deal my grandma did that and my mom was a good
grandma did that and my mom was a good
grandma did that and my mom was a good cook but dessert dessert was on his own
cook but dessert dessert was on his own
cook but dessert dessert was on his own table and I decided that I was going to
table and I decided that I was going to
table and I decided that I was going to go for dessert it was a lot of cakes and
go for dessert it was a lot of cakes and
go for dessert it was a lot of cakes and it was one pie so I was like I may eat
it was one pie so I was like I may eat
it was one pie so I was like I may eat the pie it’s gonna be good
the pie it’s gonna be good
the pie it’s gonna be good so I tried the pie african-americans
so I tried the pie african-americans
so I tried the pie african-americans don’t cook pumpkin pie we cook sweet
don’t cook pumpkin pie we cook sweet
don’t cook pumpkin pie we cook sweet potato pie
potato pie
potato pie and my mom didn’t know that and she
and my mom didn’t know that and she
and my mom didn’t know that and she cooked that pumpkin pie there and uh it
cooked that pumpkin pie there and uh it
cooked that pumpkin pie there and uh it was horrible
was horrible
was horrible and I told her that it was bad and I
and I told her that it was bad and I
and I told her that it was bad and I told her from the bathroom and I she’s
told her from the bathroom and I she’s
told her from the bathroom and I she’s been through worse and I wrote a poem
been through worse and I wrote a poem
been through worse and I wrote a poem about it
about it
about it everyone please say pumpkin pie the
everyone please say pumpkin pie the
everyone please say pumpkin pie the pumpkin pie I offended
pumpkin pie I offended
pumpkin pie I offended it wasn’t prepared at its best but what
it wasn’t prepared at its best but what
it wasn’t prepared at its best but what are the terms of the mother birds worms
are the terms of the mother birds worms
are the terms of the mother birds worms that she hustles back to the nest you
that she hustles back to the nest you
that she hustles back to the nest you see my mother did more than dig tunnels
see my mother did more than dig tunnels
see my mother did more than dig tunnels her burdens were heavy to tote for she
her burdens were heavy to tote for she
her burdens were heavy to tote for she had been wounded by hunters and they
had been wounded by hunters and they
had been wounded by hunters and they shot it down with their dope lost all
shot it down with their dope lost all
shot it down with their dope lost all that she knew and became a victim of
that she knew and became a victim of
that she knew and became a victim of crack and cocaine a bordello that barely
crack and cocaine a bordello that barely
crack and cocaine a bordello that barely could float but knew how to hold onto
could float but knew how to hold onto
could float but knew how to hold onto planes they say things get better with
planes they say things get better with
planes they say things get better with time I watched my watch watching me back
time I watched my watch watching me back
time I watched my watch watching me back the ticks in the stalks of her heart in
the ticks in the stalks of her heart in
the ticks in the stalks of her heart in my cart were forcing me close to the
my cart were forcing me close to the
my cart were forcing me close to the tracks while I laid me away from our
tracks while I laid me away from our
tracks while I laid me away from our problems and I’d laid me away from our
problems and I’d laid me away from our
problems and I’d laid me away from our walls
walls
walls I watched Batman watch over Gotham well
I watched Batman watch over Gotham well
I watched Batman watch over Gotham well God was with me I suppose supposed to be
God was with me I suppose supposed to be
God was with me I suppose supposed to be dead as a teen but I made it to college
dead as a teen but I made it to college
dead as a teen but I made it to college instead I fought through my low
instead I fought through my low
instead I fought through my low self-esteem I picked up a pen and I fled
self-esteem I picked up a pen and I fled
self-esteem I picked up a pen and I fled my mother did all that she could she
my mother did all that she could she
my mother did all that she could she wanted to be there she did but drugs are
wanted to be there she did but drugs are
wanted to be there she did but drugs are like termites on wood and they ate away
like termites on wood and they ate away
like termites on wood and they ate away thoughts of her kids we all have our
thoughts of her kids we all have our
thoughts of her kids we all have our faults in our fights my mother fought
faults in our fights my mother fought
faults in our fights my mother fought her faults for years where I was
her faults for years where I was
her faults for years where I was influenced to write what she was
influenced to write what she was
influenced to write what she was influenced by peers was her who decided
influenced by peers was her who decided
influenced by peers was her who decided to change was her who decided to live we
to change was her who decided to live we
to change was her who decided to live we both held our heads through the rain and
both held our heads through the rain and
both held our heads through the rain and that is what landed us here I got my mom
that is what landed us here I got my mom
that is what landed us here I got my mom back y’all should know she’s been such a
back y’all should know she’s been such a
back y’all should know she’s been such a force on my rhyme now God may not coming
force on my rhyme now God may not coming
force on my rhyme now God may not coming you call but when he arrives it’s on
you call but when he arrives it’s on
you call but when he arrives it’s on time that’s why I say more than just
time that’s why I say more than just
time that’s why I say more than just poems my life has been more than just
poems my life has been more than just
poems my life has been more than just verse I think of my mom and performed
verse I think of my mom and performed
verse I think of my mom and performed i watch to come back from her worse and
i watch to come back from her worse and
i watch to come back from her worse and as bad as that pie was prepared I ate it
as bad as that pie was prepared I ate it
as bad as that pie was prepared I ate it with little regret for the chef had been
with little regret for the chef had been
with little regret for the chef had been bruised past repair but she shows that
bruised past repair but she shows that
bruised past repair but she shows that she ain’t gave up yes I made it to
she ain’t gave up yes I made it to
she ain’t gave up yes I made it to college out everything that was going on
college out everything that was going on
college out everything that was going on I made it to college on a full
I made it to college on a full
I made it to college on a full scholarship it was amazing College was
scholarship it was amazing College was
scholarship it was amazing College was the University of North Florida and it
the University of North Florida and it
the University of North Florida and it was built on a like a National Preserve
was built on a like a National Preserve
was built on a like a National Preserve and I’m from the hood so I never seen
and I’m from the hood so I never seen
and I’m from the hood so I never seen some of the things that I’d seen in
some of the things that I’d seen in
some of the things that I’d seen in college it was a beautiful lake and it
college it was a beautiful lake and it
college it was a beautiful lake and it was deer and geese out there
was deer and geese out there
was deer and geese out there never seen that not in the hood so I got
never seen that not in the hood so I got
never seen that not in the hood so I got back home and I was like guys I talked
back home and I was like guys I talked
back home and I was like guys I talked to all my friends who a lot of made some
to all my friends who a lot of made some
to all my friends who a lot of made some bad decisions selling drugs or whatever
bad decisions selling drugs or whatever
bad decisions selling drugs or whatever but I will tell them y’all got to go to
but I will tell them y’all got to go to
but I will tell them y’all got to go to college whatever you do go to college
college whatever you do go to college
college whatever you do go to college they have keys they would always tell me
they have keys they would always tell me
they have keys they would always tell me this phrase well college ain’t for
this phrase well college ain’t for
this phrase well college ain’t for everybody and I recently saw my
everybody and I recently saw my
everybody and I recently saw my transcript from college because I do
transcript from college because I do
transcript from college because I do this for a living and I hadn’t used my
this for a living and I hadn’t used my
this for a living and I hadn’t used my scholarship or my college education not
scholarship or my college education not
scholarship or my college education not the traditional way but I’m super
the traditional way but I’m super
the traditional way but I’m super thankful that I do have it all so I
thankful that I do have it all so I
thankful that I do have it all so I wrote this piece called transcript
wrote this piece called transcript
wrote this piece called transcript everyone please say transcripts I got
everyone please say transcripts I got
everyone please say transcripts I got the transcript from our college hadn’t
the transcript from our college hadn’t
the transcript from our college hadn’t used them since I love it in school that
used them since I love it in school that
used them since I love it in school that makes you smarter but I’m sure that
makes you smarter but I’m sure that
makes you smarter but I’m sure that college helps sometimes that teacher
college helps sometimes that teacher
college helps sometimes that teacher ain’t gonna reach you there are mornings
ain’t gonna reach you there are mornings
ain’t gonna reach you there are mornings our zone lesson plans are on the board
our zone lesson plans are on the board
our zone lesson plans are on the board but in my mind I made it home
but in my mind I made it home
but in my mind I made it home they don’t make clones for college
they don’t make clones for college
they don’t make clones for college students you weren’t there and you
students you weren’t there and you
students you weren’t there and you aren’t passing it was tough to lose my
aren’t passing it was tough to lose my
aren’t passing it was tough to lose my mind and have to use it in those classes
mind and have to use it in those classes
mind and have to use it in those classes I got the transcript for my college
I got the transcript for my college
I got the transcript for my college never opened them to see what they read
never opened them to see what they read
never opened them to see what they read or what they said just had to make away
or what they said just had to make away
or what they said just had to make away from me and yes I want to get my masters
from me and yes I want to get my masters
from me and yes I want to get my masters just to say I did that too it seems like
just to say I did that too it seems like
just to say I did that too it seems like people treat you different when you’ve
people treat you different when you’ve
people treat you different when you’ve made it far in school
made it far in school
made it far in school I watched friends not get promoted it
I watched friends not get promoted it
I watched friends not get promoted it was said they lacked credentials it’s a
was said they lacked credentials it’s a
was said they lacked credentials it’s a shame to not be chosen when you know you
shame to not be chosen when you know you
shame to not be chosen when you know you have potential and the suit with less
have potential and the suit with less
have potential and the suit with less experience has just become your boss
experience has just become your boss
experience has just become your boss they are setting up their office while
they are setting up their office while
they are setting up their office while you stand there looking lost because you
you stand there looking lost because you
you stand there looking lost because you will have to train them and you’ll
will have to train them and you’ll
will have to train them and you’ll struggle with that notion you said
struggle with that notion you said
struggle with that notion you said college ain’t for everyone well neither
college ain’t for everyone well neither
college ain’t for everyone well neither are promotions or corner offices or
are promotions or corner offices or
are promotions or corner offices or raises or cubicles with plaques or paper
raises or cubicles with plaques or paper
raises or cubicles with plaques or paper weights or pendulums or chairs that lean
weights or pendulums or chairs that lean
weights or pendulums or chairs that lean far back or our breaks or vacations or
far back or our breaks or vacations or
far back or our breaks or vacations or parking spots up front or using company
parking spots up front or using company
parking spots up front or using company cars and company cards to pay for lunch
cars and company cards to pay for lunch
cars and company cards to pay for lunch so you got to educate you got to push
so you got to educate you got to push
so you got to educate you got to push yourself ahead subject yourself unto
yourself ahead subject yourself unto
yourself ahead subject yourself unto your subject so nobody takes your bread
your subject so nobody takes your bread
your subject so nobody takes your bread I got the transcript from our college
I got the transcript from our college
I got the transcript from our college Christmas gifts I never opened got them
Christmas gifts I never opened got them
Christmas gifts I never opened got them just to say I got them for completion
just to say I got them for completion
just to say I got them for completion shows devotion
shows devotion
shows devotion and fulfillment gives emotions that you
and fulfillment gives emotions that you
and fulfillment gives emotions that you never seem to lose now schooling make me
never seem to lose now schooling make me
never seem to lose now schooling make me smarter but I was smart to go to school
smarter but I was smart to go to school
smarter but I was smart to go to school because I’m my boss my grandfather
because I’m my boss my grandfather
because I’m my boss my grandfather raised me he was very important he
raised me he was very important he
raised me he was very important he taught me so much one of the things that
taught me so much one of the things that
taught me so much one of the things that he taught me is that older people can
he taught me is that older people can
he taught me is that older people can say things that don’t make sense and
say things that don’t make sense and
say things that don’t make sense and pass it off as wisdom
pass it off as wisdom
pass it off as wisdom grandfather was very wise how so smart
grandfather was very wise how so smart
grandfather was very wise how so smart so amazing so quick wit amazing I
so amazing so quick wit amazing I
so amazing so quick wit amazing I remember him not like I didn’t do
remember him not like I didn’t do
remember him not like I didn’t do something when I came in the house one
something when I came in the house one
something when I came in the house one day and he was like hey I told you to
day and he was like hey I told you to
day and he was like hey I told you to cut the grass and you didn’t do that I
cut the grass and you didn’t do that I
cut the grass and you didn’t do that I don’t chew my cabbage twice so what I
don’t chew my cabbage twice so what I
don’t chew my cabbage twice so what I don’t you my cat we’re at Cracker Barrel
don’t you my cat we’re at Cracker Barrel
don’t you my cat we’re at Cracker Barrel one day we like to eat a Cracker Barrel
one day we like to eat a Cracker Barrel
one day we like to eat a Cracker Barrel as our place we eaten and I look at him
as our place we eaten and I look at him
as our place we eaten and I look at him he’s eating in a pattern sausage eggs
he’s eating in a pattern sausage eggs
he’s eating in a pattern sausage eggs biscuits grits sausage eggs biscuits
biscuits grits sausage eggs biscuits
biscuits grits sausage eggs biscuits grits sausage he was taking a bite out
grits sausage he was taking a bite out
grits sausage he was taking a bite out of everything on his plate and he was
of everything on his plate and he was
of everything on his plate and he was spinning the plate around I was like
spinning the plate around I was like
spinning the plate around I was like grandpa why are you eating like that Oh
grandpa why are you eating like that Oh
grandpa why are you eating like that Oh every piece deserves a bite you’re not
every piece deserves a bite you’re not
every piece deserves a bite you’re not gonna make me think that this makes
gonna make me think that this makes
gonna make me think that this makes sense yes this is not wisdom why are you
sense yes this is not wisdom why are you
sense yes this is not wisdom why are you but he was my hero and I need to let him
but he was my hero and I need to let him
but he was my hero and I need to let him know that he was my hero
know that he was my hero
know that he was my hero that was him that made him up so as I
that was him that made him up so as I
that was him that made him up so as I get older I can’t wait to earn my wisdom
get older I can’t wait to earn my wisdom
get older I can’t wait to earn my wisdom the hero sermon everyone please say the
the hero sermon everyone please say the
the hero sermon everyone please say the hero sermon on this porch I watch a
hero sermon on this porch I watch a
hero sermon on this porch I watch a flower lose its petals face the Sun
flower lose its petals face the Sun
flower lose its petals face the Sun saying to it I’m still pushing when
saying to it I’m still pushing when
saying to it I’m still pushing when you’re ready I will come that’s my
you’re ready I will come that’s my
you’re ready I will come that’s my grandpa they’re that flower he is not
grandpa they’re that flower he is not
grandpa they’re that flower he is not the who he was he’s been losing all his
the who he was he’s been losing all his
the who he was he’s been losing all his weight and he’s been forced to take
weight and he’s been forced to take
weight and he’s been forced to take these drugs that’s not him how I
these drugs that’s not him how I
these drugs that’s not him how I remember he had muscles he was strong
remember he had muscles he was strong
remember he had muscles he was strong this getting old has gotten old and he’s
this getting old has gotten old and he’s
this getting old has gotten old and he’s been looking at the Sun seeing God in
been looking at the Sun seeing God in
been looking at the Sun seeing God in every gesture speaking like it’s time to
every gesture speaking like it’s time to
every gesture speaking like it’s time to go
go
go he always says we never know while
he always says we never know while
he always says we never know while acting like his time is close a shame
acting like his time is close a shame
acting like his time is close a shame that heroes must retire hurts how he
that heroes must retire hurts how he
that heroes must retire hurts how he don’t use his cape
don’t use his cape
don’t use his cape he lost his strength to change a tire
he lost his strength to change a tire
he lost his strength to change a tire shows he’s tired in his face he puts his
shows he’s tired in his face he puts his
shows he’s tired in his face he puts his shoes on really slowly slides them into
shoes on really slowly slides them into
shoes on really slowly slides them into place with ease insert dagger in my
place with ease insert dagger in my
place with ease insert dagger in my heart to watch him slide away from me
heart to watch him slide away from me
heart to watch him slide away from me routine breakfast Sunday mornings he
routine breakfast Sunday mornings he
routine breakfast Sunday mornings he still has his will to flirt makes the
still has his will to flirt makes the
still has his will to flirt makes the waitress smile and laugh enough to blush
waitress smile and laugh enough to blush
waitress smile and laugh enough to blush while she’s at work
while she’s at work
while she’s at work he says sausage eggs and biscuits all
he says sausage eggs and biscuits all
he says sausage eggs and biscuits all assembled in an order every piece
assembled in an order every piece
assembled in an order every piece deserves a bike he says while sipping
deserves a bike he says while sipping
deserves a bike he says while sipping down his water what a man he’s been
down his water what a man he’s been
down his water what a man he’s been to me the only father I remember he
to me the only father I remember he
to me the only father I remember he brought home the bread and butter
brought home the bread and butter
brought home the bread and butter grandma changed it all to dinner man I
grandma changed it all to dinner man I
grandma changed it all to dinner man I swear I love my heroes comic books ain’t
swear I love my heroes comic books ain’t
swear I love my heroes comic books ain’t saved my life when I think of hope and
saved my life when I think of hope and
saved my life when I think of hope and strength I see your husband and his wife
strength I see your husband and his wife
strength I see your husband and his wife I treat my grandpa like my father
I treat my grandpa like my father
I treat my grandpa like my father because he raised me like his son had a
because he raised me like his son had a
because he raised me like his son had a dad who wouldn’t bother seeing who I
dad who wouldn’t bother seeing who I
dad who wouldn’t bother seeing who I would become I watched my mama fight
would become I watched my mama fight
would become I watched my mama fight with drugs they say you cannot choose
with drugs they say you cannot choose
with drugs they say you cannot choose your folks I wouldn’t change them if I
your folks I wouldn’t change them if I
your folks I wouldn’t change them if I could because they forced me into hope
could because they forced me into hope
could because they forced me into hope yes I swear I love my heroes hate to
yes I swear I love my heroes hate to
yes I swear I love my heroes hate to lose them to the sky and if you love
lose them to the sky and if you love
lose them to the sky and if you love your heroes too you shouldn’t wait to
your heroes too you shouldn’t wait to
your heroes too you shouldn’t wait to tell them why you scream out yeah I love
tell them why you scream out yeah I love
tell them why you scream out yeah I love my heroes even if they’re here in spirit
my heroes even if they’re here in spirit
my heroes even if they’re here in spirit know that if you say it right that you
know that if you say it right that you
know that if you say it right that you can feel that they can hear it grandpa
can feel that they can hear it grandpa
can feel that they can hear it grandpa thank you for your life
thank you for your life
thank you for your life I feel you’ll never die to me I watched
I feel you’ll never die to me I watched
I feel you’ll never die to me I watched you be the type of man most men would
you be the type of man most men would
you be the type of man most men would always try to be kept your head cocked
always try to be kept your head cocked
always try to be kept your head cocked to the side and that was always flout of
to the side and that was always flout of
to the side and that was always flout of me I’ll keep your teachings and your
me I’ll keep your teachings and your
me I’ll keep your teachings and your fight locked up tight inside of me sure
fight locked up tight inside of me sure
fight locked up tight inside of me sure that flower loses petals when the rains
that flower loses petals when the rains
that flower loses petals when the rains are not enough and the Sun no longer
are not enough and the Sun no longer
are not enough and the Sun no longer shines and the Lord seems fit to plug in
shines and the Lord seems fit to plug in
shines and the Lord seems fit to plug in my mind and goats with memories of the
my mind and goats with memories of the
my mind and goats with memories of the rocking chairs and stalks and the park
rocking chairs and stalks and the park
rocking chairs and stalks and the park begins to cry is it well miss your
begins to cry is it well miss your
begins to cry is it well miss your morning walks and I will tell you job
morning walks and I will tell you job
morning walks and I will tell you job well done
well done
well done standing ovation is a must for the life
standing ovation is a must for the life
standing ovation is a must for the life God gave to you which you divided
God gave to you which you divided
God gave to you which you divided amongst us I will carry on your torch
amongst us I will carry on your torch
amongst us I will carry on your torch I’ll take your cape and make it new in
I’ll take your cape and make it new in
I’ll take your cape and make it new in hopes of learning from this porch how I
hopes of learning from this porch how I
hopes of learning from this porch how I can be a hero too I believe in God
can be a hero too I believe in God
can be a hero too I believe in God there’s no question about it there’s no
there’s no question about it there’s no
there’s no question about it there’s no other way that I got here grandma
other way that I got here grandma
other way that I got here grandma introduced me to God and that was the
introduced me to God and that was the
introduced me to God and that was the best introduction ever and I always feel
best introduction ever and I always feel
best introduction ever and I always feel like he’s been listening to everything
like he’s been listening to everything
like he’s been listening to everything that I’ve put out no matter if I hear
that I’ve put out no matter if I hear
that I’ve put out no matter if I hear him speak or not I feel like he listens
him speak or not I feel like he listens
him speak or not I feel like he listens you know I always I still keep my
you know I always I still keep my
you know I always I still keep my prayers beside me everyone please say
prayers beside me everyone please say
prayers beside me everyone please say but the listener I know that God is
but the listener I know that God is
but the listener I know that God is listening to my prayers so I pray that
listening to my prayers so I pray that
listening to my prayers so I pray that everything I do be something good in
everything I do be something good in
everything I do be something good in some way that someone can be helped by
some way that someone can be helped by
some way that someone can be helped by something strong that I said that people
something strong that I said that people
something strong that I said that people follow people from the people I lead I
follow people from the people I lead I
follow people from the people I lead I would draw in elementary my mom was on
would draw in elementary my mom was on
would draw in elementary my mom was on drugs I was ridiculed in middle school
drugs I was ridiculed in middle school
drugs I was ridiculed in middle school my mom was on drugs when I wrote back in
my mom was on drugs when I wrote back in
my mom was on drugs when I wrote back in high school my mom was on drugs and when
high school my mom was on drugs and when
high school my mom was on drugs and when I graduated college my mom was on drugs
I graduated college my mom was on drugs
I graduated college my mom was on drugs now today I’ve been on tour and my mom
now today I’ve been on tour and my mom
now today I’ve been on tour and my mom is at home shedding tears of inspiration
is at home shedding tears of inspiration
is at home shedding tears of inspiration as she listens to poems joy was just
as she listens to poems joy was just
as she listens to poems joy was just beyond the mountain you can easily climb
beyond the mountain you can easily climb
beyond the mountain you can easily climb I never gave up on my mom we just needed
I never gave up on my mom we just needed
I never gave up on my mom we just needed some time I lost my brother and my
some time I lost my brother and my
some time I lost my brother and my grandma but I keep him within and I
grandma but I keep him within and I
grandma but I keep him within and I donate some random charities in honor of
donate some random charities in honor of
donate some random charities in honor of them through my faith embrace my
them through my faith embrace my
them through my faith embrace my struggle trouble needed a hug I never
struggle trouble needed a hug I never
struggle trouble needed a hug I never seen a fight
seen a fight
seen a fight Kongo would love my friends were
Kongo would love my friends were
Kongo would love my friends were peddling drugs while I was pedaling
peddling drugs while I was pedaling
peddling drugs while I was pedaling bikes I tried to ride away from
bikes I tried to ride away from
bikes I tried to ride away from everything that ruined my life and for
everything that ruined my life and for
everything that ruined my life and for that I see the nation I’m known by
that I see the nation I’m known by
that I see the nation I’m known by people as odd I swear that I can feel
people as odd I swear that I can feel
people as odd I swear that I can feel you hug me when I hear you applaud so I
you hug me when I hear you applaud so I
you hug me when I hear you applaud so I know that God is listening he’s brought
know that God is listening he’s brought
know that God is listening he’s brought me this far
me this far
me this far I got a motivating message you can be
I got a motivating message you can be
I got a motivating message you can be who you are I raise my hands to the sky
who you are I raise my hands to the sky
who you are I raise my hands to the sky and watch them turn into wings out of 50
and watch them turn into wings out of 50
and watch them turn into wings out of 50 billion prayers he’s responded to me he
billion prayers he’s responded to me he
billion prayers he’s responded to me he got me preaching to you people look
got me preaching to you people look
got me preaching to you people look what’s happening now I’m a star in
what’s happening now I’m a star in
what’s happening now I’m a star in certain places but I’m wrong with the
certain places but I’m wrong with the
certain places but I’m wrong with the crowd so if you hear me
crowd so if you hear me
crowd so if you hear me then you feel me because I live what I
then you feel me because I live what I
then you feel me because I live what I write that means I always recall that
write that means I always recall that
write that means I always recall that makes me never recite that makes my
makes me never recite that makes my
makes me never recite that makes my present surreal that makes my poems of
present surreal that makes my poems of
present surreal that makes my poems of truth I’m represented by God meet us
truth I’m represented by God meet us
truth I’m represented by God meet us both at my booth for I was blessed
both at my booth for I was blessed
both at my booth for I was blessed enough to make it here may you be a
enough to make it here may you be a
enough to make it here may you be a witness that if God is never saying much
witness that if God is never saying much
witness that if God is never saying much I’m proof you’re proof we’re proof that
I’m proof you’re proof we’re proof that
I’m proof you’re proof we’re proof that he listens thank you
”
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