Memory Lane (Letter)

(#JANUARY 26, 2009)

Dear Future Me,

I hope that everything is good and intact,

we're living in Fayetville near those railroad tracks,

it's that tiny shotgun house with the cars in the back,

the rusty Cadillacs, we bought 'em cheap, they're fun to look at,

but anyways, I can't fit in at school, I'm good in class,

I ace in math and all the subjects, but kids can't look past,

I'm too black for the white kids, too white for the blacks,

but I hung around and found my new favorite music-rap,

I like Dr. Dre, Biggie, Nas, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem,

I put on this song called "The World Is Yours" and played again,

I listen to that "dope hip hop" that actually matters,

I can get into it, but I'm not sure that I'll be a rapper,

anyways, still get straight A's for grades, headed for college,

the teachers like me, Ms. Rogers says I'm always "spittin' knowledge",

Mama's doing good, and Daddy isn't here a lot,

but hey, at least I got 'em, and when we hit rock bottom,

we always find a way to solve our problems and struggles,

and yesterday me and my friends built a castle from rubble,

and last Friday I was on my from school on the street,

and suddenly I saw a rose blooming from concrete,

anyways, I hope you're doing good man, I'm doing great,

'cause Mama told me find the fork in the road and go straight

 

(#JUNE 13, 2014)

Dear Past Me,

I know it seems weird now but fuck it now, I'll curse,

by the way you'll do that in the future, have you learned cursive?

How's things in the hood? I hope it's good, 'cause it's stressful,

and everyday it seems I'm running away from this cesspool,

but watch your back son, niggas'll try and forget you,

stab you in the back, turn on you, remember you're special,

never get into some twisted shit or else it'll get wicked,

remember them bullies pussy, push, pull you, but son, you're gifted,

hey man, over these years you'll face fears and such,

multiple gears, switch 'em up, and dry your tears and that much,

keep your head up, I remember being poor near them trailers,

and you'll be middle class, but stay away from them neighbors,

I think those rednecks, are cookin' meth inside of their lab,

remember if them tricks are poppin' shit there's guns in the back,

and remember when you said you couldn't get into rap,

well guess what, you're an emcee now, and far from wack,

one of the best in fact, so just keep grindin' and hustle,

and keep your head up, look at sunshine, never mind the bustle,

and that castle from rubble, the rose, the fork on the road,

those'll be you, fuck it, I'll let you figure it on your own,

say hello to Langston, Blaine, David Byrant, and them,

and by the way keep listening to Jay, Big L, Pac, and Em,

remember once again to keep your head up, stay positive,

and live, remember that life takes away but always life gives