Beyond bullshit drowning you til you can’t breathe
Beyond bochinche bouncing off your brain
Beyond the block barricading you to the barrio
Beyond visions of video thuggery
Beyond the sun smiling while setting
Beyond your body image looking like the magazines
Beyond the perfection of your rolling r’s
Beyond the timing of your two step
Beyond the ideals of utopian American society
Beyond stuck on stereotypes
Beyond being broke as evaluation of self worth
Beyond meeting hate with hate
Beyond identifying your identity with your occupation
Beyond qualifying your intelligence with your education
Beyond the boxes you are asked to check
Beyond name brands slicing up your self esteem
Beyond repeating the same lies over and over again
Beyond the jails confining your justice
Beyond twenty second sound bites to sum up your soul
Beyond accolades glitz glam and prizes
Beyond commercials commanding your cash
Beyond bad credit condemning you to craziness
Beyond spiral types of cycles bringing you back
Beyond accepting your fate as a give away
Beyond waking up not looking forward to day
Beyond going to sleep with a hardened heart
Beyond clouds not containing chaos
Beyond skies simplicity use soul’s synchronicity
Beyond allowing the mirror to look ugly
Beyond waiting for the world to throw you a happy hour
Beyond talking up the release date still nothing drop
Beyond settling for less mediocre obscurities
Beyond the zenith
Beyond good meaning
Beyond just dreaming
11.10.2009
really real
Graphically drastic
Magically tragic
Stretched out like the fabric
Of holy underwears
He was a paradox
Perfectly flawed
So broken he was together
Smiling while crying
Laughing while bawling
Walking while crawling
Cracked concrete felt
Like feathers across ashy skin
So smooth the bumps
Were oily slopes softly firm
Found comfort in squirming
Doing nothing was his way of learning
Spending was earning
Making it rain was saving
Cool composed relaxed when body aching
His awakening falling deeper asleep
While going acapella he found his own beat
All the hate felt like love
Going below the surface was rising above
So down bottom felt like up top
He thought if he let go
He would float not drop
To keep going only means to stop
Continual motion really was steady posting
The corners chaos kept him calm
Only got the moisture of his hand inside empty palms
The wind chill kept him warm
Seeing his own breath made him sweat
Airing out his bizness was the only secret he kept
Others success made him bitter
Liquor became fruit juice
Getting incredibly tight was really rather loose
Truth a bundle of innocent lies
Eyes merely mirrors of lonely dark ghetto
Where voices echo is your conscience
Calling you to collective action
Not passing the time like murder of minutes
Assassination of seconds
Using words as weapons silence as a shield
Whatever is real is actually fake
What he face looks like worst nightmare
But those demons and devils become best friends
Wish he could start all over
But too quickly he at the end
Magically tragic
Stretched out like the fabric
Of holy underwears
He was a paradox
Perfectly flawed
So broken he was together
Smiling while crying
Laughing while bawling
Walking while crawling
Cracked concrete felt
Like feathers across ashy skin
So smooth the bumps
Were oily slopes softly firm
Found comfort in squirming
Doing nothing was his way of learning
Spending was earning
Making it rain was saving
Cool composed relaxed when body aching
His awakening falling deeper asleep
While going acapella he found his own beat
All the hate felt like love
Going below the surface was rising above
So down bottom felt like up top
He thought if he let go
He would float not drop
To keep going only means to stop
Continual motion really was steady posting
The corners chaos kept him calm
Only got the moisture of his hand inside empty palms
The wind chill kept him warm
Seeing his own breath made him sweat
Airing out his bizness was the only secret he kept
Others success made him bitter
Liquor became fruit juice
Getting incredibly tight was really rather loose
Truth a bundle of innocent lies
Eyes merely mirrors of lonely dark ghetto
Where voices echo is your conscience
Calling you to collective action
Not passing the time like murder of minutes
Assassination of seconds
Using words as weapons silence as a shield
Whatever is real is actually fake
What he face looks like worst nightmare
But those demons and devils become best friends
Wish he could start all over
But too quickly he at the end
10.20.2009
exclusive
Asi fue
Another night
In the essence
Of what remains
How can you
Ride the train
Along the spine
Of the sinister city
Time passes
By so quickly
Whenever you
Want life to pause
Often I find myself
Wandering around
Lost from the main
Objective next mission
Searching outside
Everything been here
In front of face
Right below eyes
The room where
You wish upon
The moon cracked
Light shot to awake
Questions await fate
Careful to wise choice
Another disaster comes
From fast mistake
Walking amongst guts
Butts loose lips nuts
Quick thighs prompt high
Salty tears friends die
Benches where queens
Are found strutting
To get to otherside
Smile sunshine survive
What can you say
When the words aren’t enough
Inspiration to keep you going
Sitting naked and silent
Without a clue for plans
Right now is life
Everything else is dreams
Spending money on smoke
That evaporates 10 minutes
After burned forgotten mission
And all those things
You thought you coulda did
Always same shit another day
How about different mierda
And some time to pray
For ways outside of this
Can’t describe only want you
To live it with my eyes my stomach
My legs my feets
Constant vibrations when breeze blows
Feels so weak more weeks pass
Nothing changes souls trip
Close to the edge slip
Remnants scent remains
Strange when home feels unsafe
Even more odd when you look around
And see older faces chasing the memories
You left behind in a bag by the benches
Not knowing if tomorrow will ever come
Smiling sunshine survive
Another night
In the essence
Of what remains
How can you
Ride the train
Along the spine
Of the sinister city
Time passes
By so quickly
Whenever you
Want life to pause
Often I find myself
Wandering around
Lost from the main
Objective next mission
Searching outside
Everything been here
In front of face
Right below eyes
The room where
You wish upon
The moon cracked
Light shot to awake
Questions await fate
Careful to wise choice
Another disaster comes
From fast mistake
Walking amongst guts
Butts loose lips nuts
Quick thighs prompt high
Salty tears friends die
Benches where queens
Are found strutting
To get to otherside
Smile sunshine survive
What can you say
When the words aren’t enough
Inspiration to keep you going
Sitting naked and silent
Without a clue for plans
Right now is life
Everything else is dreams
Spending money on smoke
That evaporates 10 minutes
After burned forgotten mission
And all those things
You thought you coulda did
Always same shit another day
How about different mierda
And some time to pray
For ways outside of this
Can’t describe only want you
To live it with my eyes my stomach
My legs my feets
Constant vibrations when breeze blows
Feels so weak more weeks pass
Nothing changes souls trip
Close to the edge slip
Remnants scent remains
Strange when home feels unsafe
Even more odd when you look around
And see older faces chasing the memories
You left behind in a bag by the benches
Not knowing if tomorrow will ever come
Smiling sunshine survive
patria o muerte
Let’s Bling Bling Consciousness
-after Dylcia Pagan
Let’s ice out our integrity
Let’s customize our confidence
Let’s detail our determination
And coordinate our capabilities
Can we iron out our issues
Steampress our suffering
So our revolution won’t be wrinkled
Match your motivation
With your mentality
Make your soul shine
Sparkle bright like destiny
Under a discoball
Pop bottles for the pueblo
Put your community in VIP
You voice is the velvet rope
Balance is the brave bouncer
Make your dedication diamond
Change your chains
Let love link all your weakness
Release your wishes on
The wound up wind
Will wander in every breath
Push yourself until there is nothing left
Take seven steps towards perfection
Never let your future be an exception to rules
Those who got it all figured out
End up being the biggest fools
Fix the fatalism in your folly
Grab the greatness from your gut
Until you realize you are Godly
Honor your humility
Let hope be your home
Hug yourself
All this love
You have never been alone
-after Dylcia Pagan
Let’s ice out our integrity
Let’s customize our confidence
Let’s detail our determination
And coordinate our capabilities
Can we iron out our issues
Steampress our suffering
So our revolution won’t be wrinkled
Match your motivation
With your mentality
Make your soul shine
Sparkle bright like destiny
Under a discoball
Pop bottles for the pueblo
Put your community in VIP
You voice is the velvet rope
Balance is the brave bouncer
Make your dedication diamond
Change your chains
Let love link all your weakness
Release your wishes on
The wound up wind
Will wander in every breath
Push yourself until there is nothing left
Take seven steps towards perfection
Never let your future be an exception to rules
Those who got it all figured out
End up being the biggest fools
Fix the fatalism in your folly
Grab the greatness from your gut
Until you realize you are Godly
Honor your humility
Let hope be your home
Hug yourself
All this love
You have never been alone
10.13.2009
you will see me again
Deserve don’t got nothin’ to do with it
after snoop from the wire
Did you deserve your just desserts
Did you warrant those outstanding warrants
Did you will your last will
Did you breathe you last breath
Did you wish away your last wish
Did you ask for second helpings knowing there’s none left
Did you wake up out your dreams only to realize there’s no more time
Did you see your reflection in the mirror
Did you run away laughing or crying
Did you unlearn your miseducation
Did you continue to flirt with Satan while two timing Jesus
Did you hold on to what you are losing and lose what you need to hold on
Did last year become yesterday and tomorrow’s too far away
Did you sell your soul for chump change as your destiny fell dusty
Did the sun say no shine while the moon offered you too much
Did the sky scream your name while the air whispered this world needs you
after snoop from the wire
Did you deserve your just desserts
Did you warrant those outstanding warrants
Did you will your last will
Did you breathe you last breath
Did you wish away your last wish
Did you ask for second helpings knowing there’s none left
Did you wake up out your dreams only to realize there’s no more time
Did you see your reflection in the mirror
Did you run away laughing or crying
Did you unlearn your miseducation
Did you continue to flirt with Satan while two timing Jesus
Did you hold on to what you are losing and lose what you need to hold on
Did last year become yesterday and tomorrow’s too far away
Did you sell your soul for chump change as your destiny fell dusty
Did the sun say no shine while the moon offered you too much
Did the sky scream your name while the air whispered this world needs you
shout out to Tony Medina
How to be Nuyorican
Cha cha in your mother’s sterilized womb
Bugalu in the belly with bomba on your brain
Nelson A Miles tried to run train
On your great great grandma
Resurrect the spirits of Betances Hostos
Lolita Albizu con otros
Operation Bootstrap
Is evidence of the New World Order
Brush your teeth
With Gandule Aquafresh
The news that Puerto Rico
Is the world’s oldest colony
Es un periodico de ayer
The pain of colonialism
El mundo quiere saber
Do everything la gente blanca
Dice que no puedes hacer
Sigue pa’lante pa’ el monte
Repair the broken fractures
of your Afro Latino Identity
listen to Willie Colon
The Hustler non stop buying pernil
Snore like a coqui
Bump Guasa Guasa and Lean Back
Dressed like SuperBoricua and the Coqui Kid
At the Parade
Scream WEPA and Que Bonita Bandera
At the 1116th street festival
Rock a hoody under a guayabera in the summer
Wear chanclas with sweats and socks in the winter
Have a cousin in Castle Hill
A primo in Hunts Point
A grandma in Rio Grande
And grandfathers drinking café en el cielo
See Marc Anthony
As a poor man’s Hector Lavoe
JLO needs more sofrito
In her movies and videos
Demand Bronx politicians be brave
Fight for the people
Praise De La Vega
As a Puerto Rican Picasso
Watch red states complain
When Carlos Arroyo cooks Carmelo
And say Puerto Rico should not have
Any Olympic team
When Puerto Rico
Is a sovereign country
That is our American Dream
Rise from Los Sures
Be humble in Humboldt Park
Holleame en Spanish Harlem
Young Lords are our heroes
Takin over Statue of Liberty
Creatin strikes with garbage
Feel the pain of Filiberto’s familia
As the federales fill his body with bullets
And leave it there lying
Know that Borinken es la perla de Carribean
Hype yourself off this fact chilling en La Perla
Love your brothers and sisters of all shades
Understand the history of your blood
Royalty criminals and slaves
Hang a flag on your wall
Wear a flag on your sneakers
Display a flag in your car
Tattoo the Lares flag on your heart
Baptize your family
With Puerto Rican Obituary
Recite the Spanglish National Anthem
Like it was the Pledge of Allegiance
End each statement
With Punto Asi es check it
Punto
Asi es
Check it.
Cha cha in your mother’s sterilized womb
Bugalu in the belly with bomba on your brain
Nelson A Miles tried to run train
On your great great grandma
Resurrect the spirits of Betances Hostos
Lolita Albizu con otros
Operation Bootstrap
Is evidence of the New World Order
Brush your teeth
With Gandule Aquafresh
The news that Puerto Rico
Is the world’s oldest colony
Es un periodico de ayer
The pain of colonialism
El mundo quiere saber
Do everything la gente blanca
Dice que no puedes hacer
Sigue pa’lante pa’ el monte
Repair the broken fractures
of your Afro Latino Identity
listen to Willie Colon
The Hustler non stop buying pernil
Snore like a coqui
Bump Guasa Guasa and Lean Back
Dressed like SuperBoricua and the Coqui Kid
At the Parade
Scream WEPA and Que Bonita Bandera
At the 1116th street festival
Rock a hoody under a guayabera in the summer
Wear chanclas with sweats and socks in the winter
Have a cousin in Castle Hill
A primo in Hunts Point
A grandma in Rio Grande
And grandfathers drinking café en el cielo
See Marc Anthony
As a poor man’s Hector Lavoe
JLO needs more sofrito
In her movies and videos
Demand Bronx politicians be brave
Fight for the people
Praise De La Vega
As a Puerto Rican Picasso
Watch red states complain
When Carlos Arroyo cooks Carmelo
And say Puerto Rico should not have
Any Olympic team
When Puerto Rico
Is a sovereign country
That is our American Dream
Rise from Los Sures
Be humble in Humboldt Park
Holleame en Spanish Harlem
Young Lords are our heroes
Takin over Statue of Liberty
Creatin strikes with garbage
Feel the pain of Filiberto’s familia
As the federales fill his body with bullets
And leave it there lying
Know that Borinken es la perla de Carribean
Hype yourself off this fact chilling en La Perla
Love your brothers and sisters of all shades
Understand the history of your blood
Royalty criminals and slaves
Hang a flag on your wall
Wear a flag on your sneakers
Display a flag in your car
Tattoo the Lares flag on your heart
Baptize your family
With Puerto Rican Obituary
Recite the Spanglish National Anthem
Like it was the Pledge of Allegiance
End each statement
With Punto Asi es check it
Punto
Asi es
Check it.
I love you China
Made in china
Pomp circumstances reveal iller challenges
Beneath the cracked rubble. Tianammen square
Squeezes images of defiance behind bootlegs
And knockoff authenticity. The eyes of god
Examine effortlessly investigate innermost intricacies.
Happy wok Chinese chicken wings are laced with
Nationalism, wonton soup tracking devices
Slowly spying your cynicism into spheres of influences.
We all know we like leftover revolution
Handed down through faded memories and
Trademarked terrorism, sold through crass commercials.
Gold medals garish looking like from goodwill.
Pomp circumstances reveal iller challenges
Beneath the cracked rubble. Tianammen square
Squeezes images of defiance behind bootlegs
And knockoff authenticity. The eyes of god
Examine effortlessly investigate innermost intricacies.
Happy wok Chinese chicken wings are laced with
Nationalism, wonton soup tracking devices
Slowly spying your cynicism into spheres of influences.
We all know we like leftover revolution
Handed down through faded memories and
Trademarked terrorism, sold through crass commercials.
Gold medals garish looking like from goodwill.
que viva
Que viva pollo frito
Crisp skin cracklin crunchy goodness
Que viva bistec encellbao
Tender brown meatt clear soft circles
Que viva sofrito
Making seasonings of suffering sazonrific
Que viva recaito recovering our roots
Que viva shots of Bacardi making us tell the truth
Que viva el espiritu santo
Blessing our way
Que viva el sol for lighting the day
Que viva la noche the moon rises again
Que viva goya porque tiene que ser bueno
Que viva my family as broken as we are
Together in blood
Que viva la gente trabajando siempre
Only for short money but rich in love
Que viva Puerto Rico Libre la isla bonita
Que viva el Bronx y todo el resto de Nuyorico
Que viva viviendo vida
Instead of worshippin death
Have no regrets determination
Dedication in every breath
Crisp skin cracklin crunchy goodness
Que viva bistec encellbao
Tender brown meatt clear soft circles
Que viva sofrito
Making seasonings of suffering sazonrific
Que viva recaito recovering our roots
Que viva shots of Bacardi making us tell the truth
Que viva el espiritu santo
Blessing our way
Que viva el sol for lighting the day
Que viva la noche the moon rises again
Que viva goya porque tiene que ser bueno
Que viva my family as broken as we are
Together in blood
Que viva la gente trabajando siempre
Only for short money but rich in love
Que viva Puerto Rico Libre la isla bonita
Que viva el Bronx y todo el resto de Nuyorico
Que viva viviendo vida
Instead of worshippin death
Have no regrets determination
Dedication in every breath
RIP CURLY 2006
Never a Stooge
-for Curly, after Max B’s Take Me Away
This is for
Smiles on slow days
Jokes when its cloudy
Even when I’m most lonely
Got people around me
We called you the hood ODB
So young so many babies
Maybe that was your way
Of letting us know
Pass it on to the next ones
Where we come from
You should retire at 21
The threat of pollution
Prison drugs guns
Makes it difficult to have fun
But we do
A select few that stay cool
True from the point to the view
Why do we lose so many
Good ones early
RIP my dude Curly
Met your fate escaped
To the gates that pearly
Crackers think freedom
And good living we not worthy
Ghetto existence
Build beyond negligent nonsense
Witness the powers of prophets
Judgement not to be fucked with
Anybody tired of fool shit
Young brothers and sisters
Deaded with full clips over bullshit
Thugged out thespians
Experts in drama
Temperature risin
Block hot like sauna
Pigs sweating every move
Last thoughts regrettin’
Sacred memories we never forgettin’
I’d bet anything to hear
Your last freestyle
Seen the faded to brown pictures
At the Ortiz Home Funeral
How we all look alike
When we a child
Grown men crying
Grown women screamin
Feeling of cold heavy skin is not mild
How long will we mourn?
How long will we mourn
Til the pain moves on?
Everyday I’m hustling
Everyday I’m wondering
When will they take me away?
-for Curly, after Max B’s Take Me Away
This is for
Smiles on slow days
Jokes when its cloudy
Even when I’m most lonely
Got people around me
We called you the hood ODB
So young so many babies
Maybe that was your way
Of letting us know
Pass it on to the next ones
Where we come from
You should retire at 21
The threat of pollution
Prison drugs guns
Makes it difficult to have fun
But we do
A select few that stay cool
True from the point to the view
Why do we lose so many
Good ones early
RIP my dude Curly
Met your fate escaped
To the gates that pearly
Crackers think freedom
And good living we not worthy
Ghetto existence
Build beyond negligent nonsense
Witness the powers of prophets
Judgement not to be fucked with
Anybody tired of fool shit
Young brothers and sisters
Deaded with full clips over bullshit
Thugged out thespians
Experts in drama
Temperature risin
Block hot like sauna
Pigs sweating every move
Last thoughts regrettin’
Sacred memories we never forgettin’
I’d bet anything to hear
Your last freestyle
Seen the faded to brown pictures
At the Ortiz Home Funeral
How we all look alike
When we a child
Grown men crying
Grown women screamin
Feeling of cold heavy skin is not mild
How long will we mourn?
How long will we mourn
Til the pain moves on?
Everyday I’m hustling
Everyday I’m wondering
When will they take me away?
ok
Influenced
Your family been broken
Longer than it was together
Almost like round pegs
In square holes
You always want things
You dare not hold
Let it drop from the sky
To circle round and round
Til it falls flat
The certainty of urgency
Has disappeared
Whenever you open the door
To the crib all the lights are off
Only the cat purrs and greets you
The walls have been silenced
The TV still on but muted
Actions with no words
Pictures with no sounds
The outside breeze has been remixed
To soundtrack these moments
Precious and few that flew by so fast
Even with old mitt couldn’t catch
The inside pitch that led to foul ball
You wish to do over
But no cheat code will make it possible
No returns or exchanges
This is a one way ticket
To your future you can’t miss that flight
Because you on it and it’s landed
Somehow somewhere unrecognizable
Kinda like your life
But nah couldn’t be
Supposed to be closer to dreams
Crazy distances from nightmares
The current GPS coordinates are
A stalactite frozen in the summer
Off a keystone right in the middle
Far away from happilyeverafter
Rather unique it seems
Once in a blue moon might
Assemble the team
All seasons everyone on DL
Or 7 steps towards emotional rehab
Nonstop affirmations
Self love unlimited orchestra
In Dolby Surround
Have surplanted soft subtle
Sweet times of everyone in the party
Clapping hugging
Hands on bottles
Arms on each other
The space the void hangs
Like lint in sunlight
You wish you could just run right
Up to it through it to live there
But tis all very necessary
To fly to skip through suffering
To hold on to hope
To figure out faith
To push away pain
To make sure you maintain
But never settle never doubt
To rise in the morning
Proclaim a blessed day
To see your history
To stand up be proud
To speak up grab your voice
Throw it out loud
To look at your reflection
Laugh and smile
Realize though times is tough
God done blessed you child
Your family been broken
Longer than it was together
Almost like round pegs
In square holes
You always want things
You dare not hold
Let it drop from the sky
To circle round and round
Til it falls flat
The certainty of urgency
Has disappeared
Whenever you open the door
To the crib all the lights are off
Only the cat purrs and greets you
The walls have been silenced
The TV still on but muted
Actions with no words
Pictures with no sounds
The outside breeze has been remixed
To soundtrack these moments
Precious and few that flew by so fast
Even with old mitt couldn’t catch
The inside pitch that led to foul ball
You wish to do over
But no cheat code will make it possible
No returns or exchanges
This is a one way ticket
To your future you can’t miss that flight
Because you on it and it’s landed
Somehow somewhere unrecognizable
Kinda like your life
But nah couldn’t be
Supposed to be closer to dreams
Crazy distances from nightmares
The current GPS coordinates are
A stalactite frozen in the summer
Off a keystone right in the middle
Far away from happilyeverafter
Rather unique it seems
Once in a blue moon might
Assemble the team
All seasons everyone on DL
Or 7 steps towards emotional rehab
Nonstop affirmations
Self love unlimited orchestra
In Dolby Surround
Have surplanted soft subtle
Sweet times of everyone in the party
Clapping hugging
Hands on bottles
Arms on each other
The space the void hangs
Like lint in sunlight
You wish you could just run right
Up to it through it to live there
But tis all very necessary
To fly to skip through suffering
To hold on to hope
To figure out faith
To push away pain
To make sure you maintain
But never settle never doubt
To rise in the morning
Proclaim a blessed day
To see your history
To stand up be proud
To speak up grab your voice
Throw it out loud
To look at your reflection
Laugh and smile
Realize though times is tough
God done blessed you child
apathy
Apathy
Steady stream of I don’t
Give a fuck followed by shrugs
Watches broadlight brain
Blown onto new sneakers
Without flinching
Ignores the future
Letting 6 year olds scream
I’m a real nigga
Wearing shirts stating
I’m the King of NY
Structure resembles
Backyard clubhouses
Pack of ratty pictures
From Word Up! Magazines
Decorate walls
The world blew up
2 seconds ago
The block replies
Stop bullshittin me
Who burning it right now?
Steady stream of I don’t
Give a fuck followed by shrugs
Watches broadlight brain
Blown onto new sneakers
Without flinching
Ignores the future
Letting 6 year olds scream
I’m a real nigga
Wearing shirts stating
I’m the King of NY
Structure resembles
Backyard clubhouses
Pack of ratty pictures
From Word Up! Magazines
Decorate walls
The world blew up
2 seconds ago
The block replies
Stop bullshittin me
Who burning it right now?
for real
Esperando Godot
No more muddled messages
Clarity is imperative
Searching for the good ole feeling
Walking down familiar blocks
Trying to see smiles that will warm
Inside like skin sweating
Instead find parts of self frozen
Like piraguas pain
Can come in all flavors
Poetry well guarded break in case
Of emergency urgency in delivery
Is now or never
Have not figured it out yet
Not that quite clever
Wandering everywhere you’ve
Already been not eagerly
Awaiting new like comfy routines
Never getting reserved
Reflections from ripples in puddles
Have you disturbed deeply
Continually probing
Forever owing interest on debt
That will never get repaid
Sitting around playgrounds
Brings you to throwback days
Simpler times when pimples
Were the worst thing on your mind
Still got the map in the back pocket
But lost confused befuddled
Hence the genesis of this thought
Auctioned off parts of self
That can never be brought
Or bought again
Mastered the art of pretend
Everything’s all cool
Everyone’s all right
Everywhere’s all good
If only you could
Turn back those hands
If only that would
Make it all better
Let’s face facts
Never been a hustler player
Or go getter
You are no longer allowed
To have regrets for lives
You have not lived
Your family are the ones
You have gone to war with
Keep them trapped inside your heart
What flows through your veins
Is straight love and leftover memories
Keep outside all that is hated
Keep close all that is sacred
You are the one who determines
If you will make it
No more muddled messages
Clarity is imperative
Searching for the good ole feeling
Walking down familiar blocks
Trying to see smiles that will warm
Inside like skin sweating
Instead find parts of self frozen
Like piraguas pain
Can come in all flavors
Poetry well guarded break in case
Of emergency urgency in delivery
Is now or never
Have not figured it out yet
Not that quite clever
Wandering everywhere you’ve
Already been not eagerly
Awaiting new like comfy routines
Never getting reserved
Reflections from ripples in puddles
Have you disturbed deeply
Continually probing
Forever owing interest on debt
That will never get repaid
Sitting around playgrounds
Brings you to throwback days
Simpler times when pimples
Were the worst thing on your mind
Still got the map in the back pocket
But lost confused befuddled
Hence the genesis of this thought
Auctioned off parts of self
That can never be brought
Or bought again
Mastered the art of pretend
Everything’s all cool
Everyone’s all right
Everywhere’s all good
If only you could
Turn back those hands
If only that would
Make it all better
Let’s face facts
Never been a hustler player
Or go getter
You are no longer allowed
To have regrets for lives
You have not lived
Your family are the ones
You have gone to war with
Keep them trapped inside your heart
What flows through your veins
Is straight love and leftover memories
Keep outside all that is hated
Keep close all that is sacred
You are the one who determines
If you will make it
7.29.2009
palabra kid
Word Up son despierta
There is a schism in your soul
Somewhere lurking behind your confidence
dark depression is waiting around the corner
wanting your security to slip
paid minimum wage and no attention
Inspiration been getting bored at the job
wanting to take a permanent vacation
perhaps relocate with a more community
minded brother with more dedication
to his craft which has so much potential
But there he goes out the door about to run
down the same streets so many done got
gold medals in ghetto forgetting nothing
remembering everything that don’t mean
something so much of the world depends on
perception which you been lacking lately
Did I mean perspective either way adds up
to the sum of zero gain faulty assumption
shaky planning leaves you standing in rain
palms full of tears god has cried on your behalf
You won’t get anymore blessings
He has done lost too much sleep too much hair
too many wrinkles mad back pain pacing back
and forth trying to figure out your destiny
Not an easy dude to work with you know
So damn stubborn want things your way
like you just gonna get out the hood
you just want freedom you just want love
These are elemental human desires pa
Everyone around you is scrapping scraping
as much if not more and here you are
bended knee old crucifix hands together
prayer like the next poem you wish you could
write your way into heaven hustle the doorman
for free admission and perhaps if he feeling cool
a free drink longing for the trip to the final resting
will be comfy cozy easy even cono pana
I won’t try to g you or gas you
WAKE UP bro
Your voice about to leave you
If you lucky you might catch her
receive pity break up sex
before she gets on that bus
outta town to parts unknown
There is a schism in your soul
Somewhere lurking behind your confidence
dark depression is waiting around the corner
wanting your security to slip
paid minimum wage and no attention
Inspiration been getting bored at the job
wanting to take a permanent vacation
perhaps relocate with a more community
minded brother with more dedication
to his craft which has so much potential
But there he goes out the door about to run
down the same streets so many done got
gold medals in ghetto forgetting nothing
remembering everything that don’t mean
something so much of the world depends on
perception which you been lacking lately
Did I mean perspective either way adds up
to the sum of zero gain faulty assumption
shaky planning leaves you standing in rain
palms full of tears god has cried on your behalf
You won’t get anymore blessings
He has done lost too much sleep too much hair
too many wrinkles mad back pain pacing back
and forth trying to figure out your destiny
Not an easy dude to work with you know
So damn stubborn want things your way
like you just gonna get out the hood
you just want freedom you just want love
These are elemental human desires pa
Everyone around you is scrapping scraping
as much if not more and here you are
bended knee old crucifix hands together
prayer like the next poem you wish you could
write your way into heaven hustle the doorman
for free admission and perhaps if he feeling cool
a free drink longing for the trip to the final resting
will be comfy cozy easy even cono pana
I won’t try to g you or gas you
WAKE UP bro
Your voice about to leave you
If you lucky you might catch her
receive pity break up sex
before she gets on that bus
outta town to parts unknown
new shit been a while
Give this poem
the energy worthy
of defining your life
otherwise you just up here
producing background noise
while we drink
and I tell you
lounge music
far better captures the moment
Please scream about
conspicuous atrocity invisible anarchy
so that we can break down
the revolution
in a 3 minute 24 second song
to broadcast on Top 10s
across the fine nation
Summarize the struggle
in a 1000 words or less
complete with paragraphs
punctuation and footnotes
that follows MLA standards
Autotune your agony
so that your pain is pitch perfect
X ray your integrity
Plan an exit strategy
that will claim victory
in the war with yourself
Anxiety staged an occupation
on your confidence
which has been conditioned
to resemble a colony
Give love a lobotomy
Replace romance with reality
so that hunger dies
Happiness stands 6 feet above chance
Balance dreams and fantasy
so you can let the sun shine in
hurry hurry
step right on in
Make miracles from your morals
these minds can never go to waste
they all chase memories of happilyeverafter
with visions of brighter yesterdays
Confused by the directions
Afraid to ask questions
So let these thoughts these offerings
these psalms bring them
close to neverending critical consciousness
Make that shit cool
I dare you to drown death
and resurrect life
Turn the misery to money
Feed them hope no longer hungry
Push the wind to they back
as they grind in the streets
Dead overcooked beef
as they seek peace
Go right to the edge
Think twice about jumping
Realize the time you been here
been worth
the sum of your blessings
remainder of your nightmares
Wake them up
Realize right there
in the middle of palms sweaty
sometimes unsure timid
but always ready
To rise push pull
lands you never seen
Shake they souls
Summon spirits speak it loud
No more mumbling stumbling
with clarity they will hear it
voice regal triumphant and proud
the energy worthy
of defining your life
otherwise you just up here
producing background noise
while we drink
and I tell you
lounge music
far better captures the moment
Please scream about
conspicuous atrocity invisible anarchy
so that we can break down
the revolution
in a 3 minute 24 second song
to broadcast on Top 10s
across the fine nation
Summarize the struggle
in a 1000 words or less
complete with paragraphs
punctuation and footnotes
that follows MLA standards
Autotune your agony
so that your pain is pitch perfect
X ray your integrity
Plan an exit strategy
that will claim victory
in the war with yourself
Anxiety staged an occupation
on your confidence
which has been conditioned
to resemble a colony
Give love a lobotomy
Replace romance with reality
so that hunger dies
Happiness stands 6 feet above chance
Balance dreams and fantasy
so you can let the sun shine in
hurry hurry
step right on in
Make miracles from your morals
these minds can never go to waste
they all chase memories of happilyeverafter
with visions of brighter yesterdays
Confused by the directions
Afraid to ask questions
So let these thoughts these offerings
these psalms bring them
close to neverending critical consciousness
Make that shit cool
I dare you to drown death
and resurrect life
Turn the misery to money
Feed them hope no longer hungry
Push the wind to they back
as they grind in the streets
Dead overcooked beef
as they seek peace
Go right to the edge
Think twice about jumping
Realize the time you been here
been worth
the sum of your blessings
remainder of your nightmares
Wake them up
Realize right there
in the middle of palms sweaty
sometimes unsure timid
but always ready
To rise push pull
lands you never seen
Shake they souls
Summon spirits speak it loud
No more mumbling stumbling
with clarity they will hear it
voice regal triumphant and proud
6.16.2009
i'm a yankees fan
word up fams...how was your pr parade weekend? i keeps it real, i'm boricua 365 24/7
i don't need a corporate sponsored parade to show my pride.
i'm with the yankees cuz i was born in the bronx. their politics are awful. just to be clear.
vaya
i don't need a corporate sponsored parade to show my pride.
i'm with the yankees cuz i was born in the bronx. their politics are awful. just to be clear.
vaya
6.13.2009
6.04.2009
6.02.2009
cono
que lo k mi gente. been a minute, but eff what ya heard the repossession movement is in full effect mode familia. life is good. i've been meditating on the possibilities of evitability. shit's real. the entropy in our days pushes us into places we never imagine, worlds unseen. me? living in harlem relocated from the bx, but my heart never left. had to organize the life and mental. everyday struggle biggie said.
Seems like since i first started performing, technology caught fire. me? just trying to catch up. couldn't possibly twitter my existence every five seconds. doing too much grown man shit to put on blast.
shout outs to tara betts, rich villar and the acentos crew doing amazing things. Poetry is in the Bronx. Recognize.
The Knicks still suck. I feel like the best decade of my life been destroyed by the evil genius. The curse can be lifted by Lebron. Vamos Rey!
The Yankees want broke Bronxites to shell out money they don't have for a team that hasn't won a championship in this decade. Some nerve.
Me, I've saved more than I ever have, not going to weak slams, horrible sporting events, buying overpriced clothes. I'm still broker than yesterday though. Two lintballs worth of sentiments that might get me cheez doodles, and that book of old poems might buy my sanity.
no particular order an ongoing list
Inspiration always
Willie Perdomo
Flaco Navaja
Pedro Pietri
Miguel Pinero
Sandra Maria Esteves
Bonafide Rojas
Flaco Navaja
La Bruja
Mariposa
Piri Thomas
Martin Espada
Juan Antonio Corretjer
Clemente Soto Velez
Pedro Pietri
Julia De Burgos
Hector Lavoe
KRS ONE
Big Pun
Nas
Jadakiss
Rakim
The Roots
recently
Kevin A Gonzalez
Aracelis Girmay
Colson Whitehead
ZZ Packer
Victor Lavalle
Marsha Ambrosius
Mat Johnson
Cornelius Eady
Terrance Hayes
Major Jackson
Lucille Clifton
Jean Grae
Charles Hamilton
Skyzoo
Drake
Homies
Tongo Eisen Martin
Avalon the Dawn
Cessless
Dj Plainview
Ron Kain
The Poet G
Lyria
Homeboy Sandman
Akil Dasan
Rebel Diaz
La Pregunta Arts Cafe
El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice
Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Clason Point Gardens
Any New York Public Library but especially Soundview, Countee Cullen, Washington Heights, Williamburg, Mid Manhattan
i'm sure i'm missing something. hopefully i'll figure out this blog thing eventually.
S
O
C
K
S
es
o
si
que
es
mufugga.
Seems like since i first started performing, technology caught fire. me? just trying to catch up. couldn't possibly twitter my existence every five seconds. doing too much grown man shit to put on blast.
shout outs to tara betts, rich villar and the acentos crew doing amazing things. Poetry is in the Bronx. Recognize.
The Knicks still suck. I feel like the best decade of my life been destroyed by the evil genius. The curse can be lifted by Lebron. Vamos Rey!
The Yankees want broke Bronxites to shell out money they don't have for a team that hasn't won a championship in this decade. Some nerve.
Me, I've saved more than I ever have, not going to weak slams, horrible sporting events, buying overpriced clothes. I'm still broker than yesterday though. Two lintballs worth of sentiments that might get me cheez doodles, and that book of old poems might buy my sanity.
no particular order an ongoing list
Inspiration always
Willie Perdomo
Flaco Navaja
Pedro Pietri
Miguel Pinero
Sandra Maria Esteves
Bonafide Rojas
Flaco Navaja
La Bruja
Mariposa
Piri Thomas
Martin Espada
Juan Antonio Corretjer
Clemente Soto Velez
Pedro Pietri
Julia De Burgos
Hector Lavoe
KRS ONE
Big Pun
Nas
Jadakiss
Rakim
The Roots
recently
Kevin A Gonzalez
Aracelis Girmay
Colson Whitehead
ZZ Packer
Victor Lavalle
Marsha Ambrosius
Mat Johnson
Cornelius Eady
Terrance Hayes
Major Jackson
Lucille Clifton
Jean Grae
Charles Hamilton
Skyzoo
Drake
Homies
Tongo Eisen Martin
Avalon the Dawn
Cessless
Dj Plainview
Ron Kain
The Poet G
Lyria
Homeboy Sandman
Akil Dasan
Rebel Diaz
La Pregunta Arts Cafe
El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice
Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Clason Point Gardens
Any New York Public Library but especially Soundview, Countee Cullen, Washington Heights, Williamburg, Mid Manhattan
i'm sure i'm missing something. hopefully i'll figure out this blog thing eventually.
S
O
C
K
S
es
o
si
que
es
mufugga.
5.04.2009
1.09.2009
Que es La Pregunta?
That question that lingers
On tips on tongues
Like leftover lechon?
Figuring the who what
When where why
In the streets of NY
Not too many places
For you or I
So where can you go
Everybody te cononce?
Follow me uptown
Down mean streets
At bodegas dreamin for free
Nickels that costs dimes
Will cause Puerto Rican Obituaries
Except we live yesterday
Today and tomorrow
Dancin salsa with our spirits
Aqui mismo at La Esquina
You will never hear
Weak wack lyrics
Feed your mind feed your soul
Revolutionary sandwiches
Dashed with cilantro and sofrito
Look at all the beautiful people
The diaspora strikes back
Brain blown films screened
That movie showed you how to act
Despues Alma Moyo Ilu Aye
Bomba y plena causing feet to tap
How that sound? Suena bien
Pa’lante mi gente
Todo el mundo familia y friends
So then don’t pretend
If you walking with me
You must be thirsty
Go check out the bar
Buy me a drink
Sit back sip up listen to inspiration
Chill out above all else think
Where else in the world
Would you rather be?
La Pregunta is the answer
Ven conmigo and see
That question that lingers
On tips on tongues
Like leftover lechon?
Figuring the who what
When where why
In the streets of NY
Not too many places
For you or I
So where can you go
Everybody te cononce?
Follow me uptown
Down mean streets
At bodegas dreamin for free
Nickels that costs dimes
Will cause Puerto Rican Obituaries
Except we live yesterday
Today and tomorrow
Dancin salsa with our spirits
Aqui mismo at La Esquina
You will never hear
Weak wack lyrics
Feed your mind feed your soul
Revolutionary sandwiches
Dashed with cilantro and sofrito
Look at all the beautiful people
The diaspora strikes back
Brain blown films screened
That movie showed you how to act
Despues Alma Moyo Ilu Aye
Bomba y plena causing feet to tap
How that sound? Suena bien
Pa’lante mi gente
Todo el mundo familia y friends
So then don’t pretend
If you walking with me
You must be thirsty
Go check out the bar
Buy me a drink
Sit back sip up listen to inspiration
Chill out above all else think
Where else in the world
Would you rather be?
La Pregunta is the answer
Ven conmigo and see
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