By: Cedric McClester

I don’t know who’s scarier
A person who’s inferior
But pretends he’s superior
Because of his deliria
Or someone who’s intense
Because they are convinced
That it makes perfect sense
To ****** folks and hence

Create a race war
Haven’t we seen this before
Raw hatred at its core
And it's still hard to ignore
How can one be taken in
Treated like an old friend
Hear the Good Book then
Bring nine lives to an end

You see it makes us numb
Wondering where does it come from
Is it just ingrained in some
Or learned by everyone
Why does ignorance persist
I could go right down the list
And I will if you insist
See I’m tired and I’m ******

At people with small minds
You can see the telltale signs
They exist in the confines
Of their puppeteer’s designs
Did they lack their mother’s love
Don’t believe in God above
Never took a bath with Dove
What are they frightened of


Copyright © 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Who was she to me?
She was Miss Ruby Dee
An actress/activist you see
Who used celebrity
To try to make us free
Who was she to me
More than the eye can see
She was Miss Ruby Dee

Who was she to me?
She was Miss Ruby Dee
Although to her family
Daughter sister mother
Wife like no other
Loving caring daring
Not adverse to sharing
Never overbearing

Who was she to me?
She was Miss Ruby Dee
Who spent many sleepless nights
Engaged in civil rights
Upon which she insisted
Even when blacklisted
Seeking human improvement
While wedded to the movement

Who was she to me?
She was Miss Ruby Dee
Part of our history
She leaves a legacy
That’s there for all to see
She lived a life well spent
Because she was not content
To sit at home and relent

Who was she to me?
She was Miss Ruby Dee
Who’s at rest finally
And that’s how it should be
So none of us should ponder
Because she’s gone up yonder
In full accord
And in the hands of her precious Lord


(c0 Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Who will write our history,
Will it be written by us?
Or will it be a mystery,
That vanishes in our dust?
Who will tell our story,
For the whole wide-world to see?
Who will put the pen to paper
If not you, or me?

Who will document
Our triumphs and our tragedies
Who will share with others
All of our use to be’s
Someone needs to tell it
From our point of view
Who better to sell it
If not me or you?

The world needs to know
Our lasting legacy
And who better to tell it
So everyone can see
That our contributions
Go back to antiquity
We’re the perfect messingers
I’m saying, you or me

No one holds hegemony
Over us, cause we
Were there at the beginning
Of humanity
We’re the mothers and fathers
Biologically
Of all those who have followed
People like you and me









Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Daddy was an absentee
Momma was on crack
Although I love the both of them
They didn’t love me back
I grew up the hard way
Ya see that’s just a fact
So maybe that explains
Why I act the way I act
They say if you don’t learn from it
History just repeats
So I spent my adolescent years
Runnin’ in the streets
I was selling dope
Where the junkies came to meet
And I’ve seen homies gunned down
In front of my feet

Ya had to watch yo’ back
Even as a little kid
Depending on of course
The people you hung with
I was with a fast crowd
Guess it was obvious
They only worshiped money
And no one did they trust
I learned to be like ‘em too
And do the things I saw them do
Like being loyal to a crew
While hoping no one got to you
Especially someone that you knew
Oh you’d be paranoid too
If you went through
What I’ve been through

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to selling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

Maybe it was preordained
From the very start
Who knew that I’d turn
Drug dealing into an art
Or have an ozone layer size
Hole inside my heart
That can make it very difficult
For an EKG to chart
I had to make a living
So I don’t apologize
For certain aspects of my life
That you may well despise
What gives you the right
To judge me or criticize
Or determine where I go
Straight to hell or if I rise

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

I’m a victim of circumstance
A brother from the hood
Who decided to take a chance
Because I thought I should
Do whatever I had to do
Almost anybody would
Come up with an escape plan
For their greater good
You don’t have to agree with me
Or the methods that I chose
You don’t have my history
As everybody knows
See you didn’t have to struggle
From the depths from which I rose
And you don’t have to constantly
Make sure you’re on your toes

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

I’ve got lots of cash machines
To count the wages of my sins
I’m a man of means by all means
And I have lots of ends
I drive all around this town
In a chauffeured Mercedes Benz
Though you can view me if you like
Through a magnifying lens
And I’ve beat more court cases
Than Jackie Robinson
Has stolen bases
I’ve made mistakes but keep your places
That’s why pencils have erasers
And some folks take their drinks
With chasers

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved

By: Cedric McClester

Why is she afraid
To tell her truth
That she was molested
And the proof
Is available
And can be found
But she’s afraid
Despite how it may sound

She has every right
To be afraid
Now that the allegations
Have been made
She has been threatened
Beyond belief
All that she desires
Is relief

Both of ‘em say
They Want to be heard
To not allow her time
Is just absurd
When it’s s a matter
Of  giving her one more day
Why are they in such
A hurry anyway?


How come she didn’t
Say something then?
That’s a question
Mainly posed by unenlightened men
Who don’t care
How much she has at risk
That makes me mad enough
To ball my fist












Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2018.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

I have to say why me
While watching the news on tv
And it happens more frequently
Looking at the spokespeople I see
There’s the advisor Kellyanne
Of whom I used to be a big fan
Then there’s that Sean Spicer man
And Steve Miller whom they need to ban

It makes me want to revolt
When I hear them start to emote
Cos they lie about the vote
And give numbers that just won’t float
Butta-boom butta-bing
They lie about everything
And the president is the wellspring
That causes those canaries to sing

It’s fake news if he disagrees
With the reporting that he sees
Which makes him very displeased
And he hates those who eat the cheese
So he’s trying to plug all the leaks
Of which he frequently speaks
And he stays on the topic for weeks
While they continue to wet their beaks

So you understand why I’m tired
And remain so uninspired
When I see the people he’s hired
None are to be admired
Cos they all speak with forked tongues
As they try to climb all the rungs
By using their wits and their lungs
And we wait for what next comes














Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2017.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

When substance doesn’t suit their diet
Their retort is, “Why not stage a riot?”
Let’s observe them closely as they try it
On the chance that we the people buy it
They’re real good at attacking the process
While ignoring the substance more or less
Cuz the walls are closing in on them I guess
So they hope that their tactics spell success

***-rushing in on a closed door session
While government officials make confession
Might meet with the president’s blessing
Though the exercise seems adolescent
What was it that they were hoping to prove?
Aren’t  they the ones who perfected that move?
How quickly they forgot about Bin-Ghazi
And I’m speaking in English not in Farsi

Closed door sessions are done all the time
Secret testimony is not a crime
And trying to make it so is a tall climb
But ignorance is bliss when it’s sublime
They think of us all as being myopic
So frequently they try to change the topic
For heaven’s sake, I wish that they would stop it
Like a spill on a grocery store aisle, at least mop it

The Republican Caucus is a motley crew
But that ain’t no new news, I know you knew
I don’t judge ‘em by what they say, but by what they do
And if you knew like I do, you would too
Let me give you a tip, bet your hunch
Because in my view they’re one sorry bunch
The Democrats most likely will eat their lunch
Let’s watch them as they sit down and munch





          Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Though she didn’t get
The essence wrong
He couldn’t help but to wonder
Why she sang his song
Some of the words
Were artfully rearranged
Or simply misplaced
Like a bunch of small change

Why would anyone want
To sing my song, but me?
Was the question he asked himself
Because he couldn’t see
How come so much interest
From the two or three
Who chose to record it
On vinyl or CD

Not that their versions
Were even half bad
They sang on key
Which made him mad
Because he couldn’t do it
And that’s quite sad
When you’re a balladeer
Who created a sing-song fad

It’s not about his singing
It’s his mastery of words
That developed his reputation
And gave birth to the Byrds
The depth of meaning
Always undergirds
The songs that he’s written
And the pots that he stirred

































Cedric McClester, Copyright ©2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

The nation’s School Safety Commission
Won’t look at guns
It’s enough to give a regular person
The runs
When you look at the damage
That guns have done
It has to make you wonder
Are they just having fun

Children are dying in schools
Every other day
And it usually comes
From an AKA
That a student is carrying
To blow fellow students away
But no one wants to mention
The gun laws or the NRA

A kid asked
The press secretary
What’s the administration
Gonna do
“Honestly kid
I’d tell ya if I knew.”
Should have been the answer
Cuz it would have been true

Why study a problem,
But not the root cause?
Shouldn’t that give us
Reason to pause
Are they really serious
Or they never was
Don’t judge ‘em by what he says
Judge him by what he does













Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2018.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

President Trump asked,
“Why would they?”
To a chorus like response,
“How could he?”
Indemnify their complicity
In the 2016 election’s duplicity
Cuz he doesn’t mind the publicity

There’s a thousand
Reasons why
The Russians
Might give it a try
But he takes the word
Of a man
Who lies frequently
Like him, understand?

Despite his intelligence
Sources
He listens to
Contrary voices
Then rails about
Fake news
FOX NEWS is a hell of a
Choice to choose

The goods on him
Must be strong
Because Putin
Can do no wrong
There’s never
A disparaging word
And that on its face
Is absurd


Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2018.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Why do widows and orphans
Cause us such fear
Who are running for their lives
And just seek a share
Of the American dream
That brought most of us here
How quickly we forget
Now we don’t seem to care

These are people between
A rock and a hard place
Who every single day
Stare death in its face
We can’t claim to be the best
With quite as much bass
As we could in the past
And in any case

Please don’t tell me because
They are Syrian
That makes ‘em
Twice as scary and
We can’t say we’re who
We try to pretend
That myth or that fantasy
Has come to an end

We’re faced with a battle
For the American soul
Once open and warm
Now we’ve turned so cold
That the American fable
Has now gotten old
Today we're  just punks
Who used to be bold























Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2915.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

It’s a **** shame
No it’s absurd
How they've gentrified
Williamsburg
And if you need
The concrete proof
They’ve raised the rents
Right through the roof

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear

The indigenous of course
Were first
In time it became
More ethnically diverse
And then an enclave
For artists and the arts
With dirt cheap rents
In certain parts

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear

Everything changes with time
Except the memories in the mind
The Williamsburg I knew and loved
Is the Williamsburg I always think of

Artists held a funeral
I here tell
And sounded off
The last death knell
They gave Williamsburg
Their sad goodbyes
And wiped the tears
Away from their eyes

Everything changes with time
Except the memories in the mind
The Williamsburg I knew and loved
Is the Williamsburg I always think of

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear
I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear




Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2016. All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

It’s a **** shame
No it’s absurd
How the gentry
Are changing Williamsburg
And if you need
The concrete proof
They’ve raised the rents
Right through the roof

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear

The indigenous people of course
Were first
In time it became
More ethnically diverse
And then an enclave
For artists and the arts
With dirt cheap rents
In certain parts

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear

Everything changes with time
Except the memories in the mind
The Williamsburg I knew and loved
Is the Williamsburg I always think of

Artists held a funeral
I here tell
And sounded off
The last death knell
They gave Williamsburg
Their sad goodbyes
And wiped the tears
Away from their eyes

Everything changes with time
Except the memories in the mind
The Williamsburg I knew and loved
Is the Williamsburg I always think of

I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear
I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds
And it’s for this I shed a tear
The Williamsburg of yesteryear
I dream of Williamsburg of old
The one only my memory holds



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

Cedric McClester

You needed much more
Than I gave
There was nothing left
For me to save
Especially after all
That you forgave
And I’m gonna take
That to my grave

Wish I could have been
All that you needed
Even though I tried
You weren’t completed
Maybe it’s that I
Was too conceited
To see the warning signs
I should have heeded

I ignored
Everything I saw
Until we ended up
In a cold war
Things were so much
Different than before
And then you
Didn’t want me anymore

I swear I hope
That I’m makin’ sense
Delving back into my
Past tense
I guess the dirt
Comes out in the rinse
When there’s no more need
For any suspense





Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2018.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Wish life was everlasting
Like we like to pretend
Wouldn’t it be fantatic
If it never had to end
Wish love ruled supreme
And we never went to war
At least this is my dream
That we stop keeping score

Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

Wish that global warming
Was nothing but a myth
And not the nagging reality
That we’re forced to live with
Wish we would treat each other
Like we want to be treated
We’re all sister and brother
The cycle of life is repeated

Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

Wish my wishes came true
And the whole world was brand new
Imagine what we could do
If we didn’t have to go through
All the things we could avoid
I’m not being paranoid
What I’d like to see encased
Is the world as a better place

Wish we could all agree
To do the things we can
Then maybe we could see
What it means to be human
Wish that you and me
Always saw eye to eye
Then maybe we could be
As committed as we try

Wish life was everlasting
Like we like to pretend
Wouldn’t it be fantatic
If it never had to end
Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

By: Cedric McClester,

Wish life was everlasting
As we like to pretend
Wouldn’t it be fantastic
If it never had to end
Wish love ruled supreme
And we never went to war
At least this is my dream
That we stop keeping score

Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

Wish that global warming
Was nothing but a myth
And not the nagging reality
That we’re forced to live with
Wish we would treat each other
Like we want to be treated
We’re all sisters and brothers
The cycle of life gets repeated

Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

Wish my wishes came true
And the whole world was brand new
Imagine what we could do
If we didn’t have to go through
All the things we could avoid
I’m not just being paranoid
What I’d like to see encased
Is the world as a better place

Wish we could all agree
To do the things we can
Then maybe we could see
What it means to be human
Wish that you and me
Always saw eye to eye
Then maybe we could be
As committed as we try

Wish life was everlasting
Like we like to pretend
Wouldn’t it be fantatic
If it never had to end
Wish that life was
Everything we want it to be
If it were then maybe
At last we could all be free

Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2016.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester;

Wish that I were clever
I’d write you a rhyme
My love is forever
It won’t fade with time
But I lack the talent
As well as the skill
To say that I love you
And I always will

I wish I was a poet
I’d write you a poem
To convey my gratitude
For the love you've shown
But I lack the knowledge
And the facility
To express everything
That’s inside of me

Wish that I were many things
That I might never be
Wish I had a way with words
But I don’t unfortunately
If I could paint a picture
Of my love for you
Believe me sweetheart
That's exactly what I would do

I wish oh so many things
That might not come true
Like gathering up the courage
Just to say that I love you
I only hope I show it
Because this much is true
I have never felt the way
That I do with you

Wish that I were many things
That I might never be
Wish I had a way with words
But I don’t unfortunately
If I could paint a picture
Of my love for you
Believe me sweetheart
That's exactly what I would do


I wish for so many things
That might not come true
Like gathering up the courage
Just to say that I love you
I only hope I show it
Because this much is true
I have never felt the way
That I do with you

By: Cedric McClester

When it comes to cops
Too many rush
To paint them all
With the same brush
To those who do
I must say hush
They’re not all bad
Believe and trust

Don’t let the few
That you despise
Color your view
Open your eyes
It’s easy to
Tell yourself lies
About their crew
But is it wise

When it comes down
To the crunch
One rotten apple
Don’t spoil the bunch
Not all of them
Are out to lunch
So why give them
A knockout punch

I’m not sayin’
They all are saints
But be careful
How your brush paints
I accept that
They’ll be complaints
But let’s be fair
And use constraints



© Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By:: Cedric McClester

Woe to the sons and daughters
Of Flint Michigan
Who under the Governor’s orders
Were forced to drink
The unclean waters
From their local lake
Which was lead contaminated
For heaven’s sake

Woe to a governor who ignored
The overwhelming evidence
Which he could ill afford
But he did anyway
So rest assured
It will come back
To haunt him
Now he’s under attack

Woe to those who bathed and drank
From the polluted waters
Dark and dank
So the Governor could save money
To put in the bank
And now they have him
To point to and blame
Because the children will never be the same

Woe to the future that is uncertain
For the young and the old
Who are under the curtain
Of the after affects
Confused and hurting
From what they ingested
Water that should have been tested
That ultimately proved to be infested



Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2016.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Woman oh woman
The rumor’s going ‘round
That I’m being treated
Like a circus clown
Cuz you been speading your good stuff
All over town

Woman oh woman
What am I supposed to do
Despite the rumors
I’m still in love with you
Should I go Lightnin Hopkins
And get a shot gun too
Or merely tell you baby
That ain’t no way for you to do

Woman oh woman
Do you dare deny
Then tell me to my face
Such a barefaced lie
All I want is an answer
To that time-worn question why

Woman oh woman
What am I supposed to do
Despite the rumors
I’m still in love with you
Should I go Lightnin Hopkins
And get a shot gun too
Or merely tell you baby
That ain’t no way for you to do



Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2016.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Women of America
Proceed with all do caution
The Supreme Court has overruled
Your right to abortion
And frankly speaking their decision
Is a distortion
Of long settled law
That was made a contortion

So, so much for  
Sta’re Decisis
The Latin term
For settled laws like this
Clearly the court
Has to be called remiss
For striking it down
And making you ******

Women rise up
And let your voices be heard
What the Court did
Is nothing short of absurd
Obviously
The thought never occurred
That they would go back
On their sacred word

Women of America
You’re under attack
Sorry, but that’s just
A salient fact
That the law of the land
No longer has your back
Now you must decide
How you’re gonna act!



Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2022.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Women of America
Where you at?
Are you gonna let it
Go down like that?
Demand she gets
The fair hearing that she deserves
With an investigation
So she can calm her nerves

Women of America
What’s it gonna take
For you to get fed up
And finally break
You see what they’re doing
For heaven’s sake
Throwin’ another woman
In the lake

Women of America
Time to take a stand
It’s a Me Too moment
So strike up the band
Women everywhere
Throughout this land
If they stick together
Have the upper hand

Women of America
Are you awoke
It’s past time for you
To go for broke
Don’t let those men
Treat you like a joke
Gather up your courage
And please don’t choke













Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2018.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Women swarmed the streets
Of Washington and the USA
Putting the President on notice
That they don’t intend to play
And he can’t take away
Everything that they’ve gained
To make America great again
Had better be explained

Women swarmed the streets
Some called it ***** power
Their numbers were increasing
Each and every hour
Even over seas
Their voices could be heard
So trying to keep them down
At that point was absurd

Women swarmed the streets
They came from everywhere
And every ethnic group
Was represented there
In all stripes and colors
Of the rainbow see
Expressing their desire
To have him let them be

Women swarmed the streets
It’s not to be believed
How their numbers kept increasing
Who in the world conceived
That two women from Hawaii
Would have been the trigger
For a demonstration and march
That just got bigger and bigger










Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2017.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

He’s not fit to tie
Woody Guthrie’s shoelaces
According to one scribe
But given the breath
And depth of his songs
Somehow that doesn’t gibe
He’s a legend in his own right
Is how he’s best described

Now I’ll grant you,
Old Woody was peerless
And had a way with a song
But to summarily dismiss Dylan
By comparison would be wrong
Both men are made of legend
Whose talents were quite strong
Though most of you knew that all along

Who was better
It’s hard to say,
Basie or the Duke?
For you to choose
Either one
Would clearly be a fluke
Basie got you dancing
And so did the Duke

It’s unfair to make
Comparisons
When it’s merely
A matter of taste
The memory of
Either one
Isn’t that easily
Erased






















Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Be careful what you say
Your words can convey
A message that uplifts
Just like birthday gifts
Or by their mere sound
Bring someone down
Cos words can be profound
Whether adjective or noun

Think before you speak
And be kind to the meek
Words can soothe away
The worries of the day
Or words can cause pain
And bring nothing but disdain
They can linger and remain
Implanted in your brain

Words can be like tools
For geniuses or fools
But once they're cast about
They remove any doubt
About whoever spoke them
And it's hard to revoke them
So try not to provoke them
Better that you yoke them

Words better left unsaid
Should remain in your head
Once they're in the atmosphere
They can't simply disappear
Consider this when you speak
Or an errant word might leak
Even when it's tongue and cheek
That excuse is very weak



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Words have meaning (oh yes they do)
But some of us act like that isn’t true
Out of our own mouths we degrade ourselves
And call it a term of endearment
But that’s hoping and wishing
That the definition no longer means what it meant
Isn’t it strange that nothing has changed
Except the user’s intent

Ain’t it absurd people died for a word
That we openly use today
It never occurred that to be referred to
As sub-human is not okay
A term of affection (or misdirection)
Which do you think is in play
When you use that word that is so often heard
Out of young mouths today

Who can deny (or try to justify)
The use of a term born from hate
Open your eyes your wherefores and whys
Aren’t creditable things to debate
Too many fatalities come from the realities
Of the words that we state
We have to change course by influence or force
Cos the hour is getting late

Ain’t it absurd people died for a word
That we openly use today
It never occurred that to be referred to
As sub-human is not okay
A term of affection (or misdirection)
Which do you think is in play
When you use that word that is so often heard
Out of young mouths today

Why do you figure Jay-z became Jigger
And gave up his first claim to fame
It was his ambition to defy definition
Besides that wasn’t his name
It was a non-starter for Mr. Shawn Carter
That he wasn’t willing to barter

Ain’t it absurd people died for a word
That we openly use today
It never occurred that to be referred to
As sub-human is not okay
A term of affection (or misdirection)
Which do you think is in play
When you use that word that is so often heard
Out of young mouths today

So let us aspire to (remove or retire)
A term that we’ve come to abuse
I swear I’m no liar we can aim higher
Than some of the words that we use
Let’s give conscious thought to the thing we had ought
Not to do that we can refuse
It an offense that doesn’t make sense
And we’ve already paid the dues

Ain’t it absurd people died for a word
That we openly use today
It never occurred that to be referred to
As sub-human is not okay
A term of affection (or misdirection)
Which do you think is in play
When you use that word that is so often heard
Out of young mouths today

Words have meaning (oh yes they do)
But some of us act like that isn’t true
Out of our own mouths we degrade ourselves
And call it a term of endearment
But that’s hoping and wishing
That the definition no longer means what it meant
Isn’t it strange that nothing has changed
Except the user’s intent

(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

We’re drowning
In an ocean of despair
But the president
Doesn’t seem to  care
It doesn’t matter to him
How we fare
As the death toll rises
Though he’s aware

There’s only one thing
On his mind
It’s the next election
You will find
Perhaps that explains why
He’s deaf, dumb and blind
To the massive pandemic
Affecting all mankind

Never mind
The lives lost
Forget about
The human cost
A win to him i
Is better than a loss
As long as he’s
Gets to floss

It’s past time
We realize
He doesn’t feel
Or sympathise
And it’s right here
Before our eyes
So let that be
Word to the wise





Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2020.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Worldwide panic has taken hold
Due to the Corona Vrus (from what I’m told)
In real time we’re seeing it unfold
And tickets to Cancun can’t be sold
People are afraid to go anywhere
Whether it’s irrational they choose to err
On the side of caution rather than go there
Although it ain’t just Mexico to be fair

You can catch it in a lotta places
So try to avoid confined spaces
Somebody sneezes (there goes a hundred more cases)
And you may be the one that the virus chases


But there are precautions you can take
Wash your hands frequently (and for heaven’s sake)
Don’t touch your mouth after a handshake
By all means avoid making that mistake
These are simple things that you can do
In an effort to avoid the Corona Virus or any Flu
Although it’s simple it’s no less true
And now that you know it’s on you - cos

You can catch it in a lotta places
So try to avoid confined spaces
Somebody sneezes (there goes a hundred more cases)
And you may be the one that the flu bug chases


Worldwide panic has taken hold
Despite the quick responses
From the governments polled
And the measures they’ve taken
That have been quite bold
To bring their countries back in the fold
You can catch it in a lotta places
So try to avoid confined spaces
Somebody sneezes (there goes a hundred more cases)
And you may be the one that the flu bug chases

Seems it’s even worst
Than it at first appeared
Which was the main thing
All those governments feared
Is it any wonder panic has set in
Look at everywhere (that the Corona Virus has  been)
Then say a silent prayer
Can I hear an amen

But there are precautions you can take
Wash your hands frequently (and for heaven’s sake)
Don’t touch your mouth after a handshake
By all means avoid making that mistake
These are simple things that you can do
In an effort to avoid the Swine or any Flu


Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2020.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

To say you’re worried
About debt
Implies you think
That we forget
When it comes
To the rich
You’re not upset
You give it up and never fret

The working poor
Support the economy
And six hundred dollars
Is a megre fee
Yet that’s an amount
That you can’t see
Shaking loose
From your money tree

Would you prefer
Since you’re conflicted
That we go hungry
And get evicted
Only because
You’ve interdicted
That’s an option, but
Remember you picked it

You’ll excuse my polemic
We’re in the middle
Of a worldwide pandemic
Which you’ve neglected
It’s almost systemic
But instead you probably think
That it’s all academic
Or maybe you believe it’s alchemic









Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2020.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Ya know ya got me
Day dreamin’ all day
Thinkin’ about you
And what I can say
To make you feel
What I wanna convey
How much I care for you
In such a special way

I feel that love
Might be
Too strong a word
In such a short time
Though the thought
Has occurred
But desire and emotion
Often get blurred

When you’re around
The feelin’ inside
It’s like my butterflies
Become magnified
A feelin’ so strong
That it can’t be denied
Ya see my tongue
Gets all twisted and tied

I feel that love
Might be
Too strong a word
In such a short time
Though the thought
Has occurred
But desire and emotion
Often get blurred






































Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Another random shooting stuns
But the headline should read
Y’all love your guns
Three dead and nine wounded
In a Louisiana movie theater
You might have assumed
It was carried out by a lone gunman
Who shot himself when he was done – and

I don’t care what y’all say
The statistics don’t lie
It happens almost every day
Different city different state
The homicides
Just don’t abate
The survivors are the lucky ones
‘Cos we all know y’all love your guns

Shooters striking just like lightenin’
Now that’s alarming
And also frightenin’
But we don’t want no gun control
It’s logical
But that argument’s old
Despite the amount of damage done
You must confess y’all love your guns

So as we turn another page
There’s no point in us feigning
Our outrage
As long as we’re cowered by
The NRA
Who always seems to have
The final say
But y’all love your guns anyway

Copyright © 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By:: Cedric McClester

Ye now you’ve doubled down
In spades
By telling everyone that he
Has AIDS
Talk about throwing
The shades
You’re cutting him
With razor blades

Ye I know it’s hard having
Been tossed
You loved the one that
You lost
You were made to pay
The ultimate cost
And now you’re out
In the frost

Ye I know you’d like
To get her back
But she’s not coming
As a matter of fact
It might be better if
You used some tact
If you wanna have
A  better impact

Ye I don’t know what else
To say
You’d be bi-polar
Anyway
But if you took your meds
You might be okay
If you wanna keep your
Madness at bay











Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2022.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Yeeus you’re not Jesus
Or show us a miracle
With evidence empirical
Not music-based or lyrical
Show us you’re the answer
Nature’s true advancer
Not a popinjay or dancer
Give us a cure for cancer

Yeesus you think a lot
Of yourself
Are you The One
Or is it someone else
Son of Donda not of God
No one calls you the Lord
Don’t you try to run that fraud
Or no one ever will applaud

Yeesus? let me take a guess
Aren’t you Mr. Kanye West
Nothing more or nothing less
Just Porgy to Kimberly’s Bess
Even though you think you ougtta
You walk on air not on water
You’re no giant
You're so much shorter

Yeesus you haven’t been
Crucified
You just think you have
But that’s false pride
You make good music
And you entertain
But you don’t have
Einstein’s brain

Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2915.  All rights reservd.

By: Cedric McClester

Ye, I’ll be ******
Yet another message
On Instagram
How many messages
Can you cram
On social media
Concerning your fam
While you remain on the lamb?

Sadly your marriage
Has run its course
And now you’re headed
For a difficult divorce
Perhaps your madness
Is at the source
Of the problems you’re having
So where’s your remorse?

Your kids are porns
On your chess board
Where your wrath for Kim
Seems to be stored
But I don’t think
Your family can afford
Having you
As their overlord

What kind of game
Are you now playing
You gotta be careful
Of what you’re saying
And to be truthful
You’ll have to admit
She never said
You took out a hit














Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2022.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Yesterday, today
And tomorrow
Through finger pointing
Recriminations and sorrow
There’s little else
On which to borrow
Other than pretending
At trying to be thorough

Just who do they
Think they fool
By invoking
Congressional rule
Using oversight
As a weapon or tool
While grandstanding
And being cruel

After eleven hours
Of having been grilled
Their objectives
Still haven’t been filled
No blood on the floor
Has been spilled
‘Cos the witness
Just answered and chilled

Clearly she’s much wiser
And older
She brushed their accusations
Right off of her shoulder
As their questions
Got hotter not colder
She dug her heels in
Like a soldier




Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2015.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Yo- **- **
And a bottle of ***
Watch the world’s greatest pirate
Because here he come
Of course, it’s Donald Trump
***** is you dumb?
Now I guess it’s plain to see
Where I’m coming from

Yo- **- **
And a bottle of ***
I don’t want it all
Ya see, I just want some
But when I watch his moves
It just leaves me numb
Now I guess we all wish
That he hadn’t run

Yo –**- **
And a bottle of ***
Whatever he’s offering
I don’t want none
All I ever wanted was
My place in the sun
And to avoid being shot
By a semi-automatic gun

Yo-**-**
And a bottle of ***
Everybody says that
That idiot is dumb
His ignorance is piling up
By the ton
But he believes in tweeting
And some gulfing  fun








Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You and her are in the news
And I admit I’m not amused
Cuz it was always you and me
At least that’s how it used to be
You got with her out of the blue
Now they say you’re married too
Which is something I don’t get
I didn’t know she was a threat
 
I can’t believe what I just read
What the gossip column said
They even dished it on Hot Topics
You got married in the tropics
Everything happened so fast
Thought that we were gonna last
How could you do this to me?
We shared so much history

How long had it been going on?
You must have known that it was wrong
Though you proceeded anyway
But every dog will have its day
Now I don’t wish you no ill will
Because ya see I love you still
And even though my heart is broken
This wedding gift is a small token

I wish you and her the best
And that you find happiness
Hopefully I’ll heal with time
It won’t be for lack of tryin’
You’ve moved on and so will I
Though it’s not easy I can’t deny
But I’m forced now to accept
Whether or not I object








Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2019.  All rights reserved.

You and I cannot pretend
That Donald Trump couldn’t happen again
Who believed he’d ever win,
Like he did at the last election’s end?
While |’m feeling new jacks, like AOC
Everything they say doesn’t have to be
They are inclined to occasionally slip
As sometimes happens when you shoot from the hip

We cannot afford to
Fall into his trap
Because of inexperience
Or a knowledge gap
Nor should we be sitting ducks
That a master manipulator
Easily plucks
Or a sitting President constantly *****

We can’t afford to throw
Caution to the wind
Then learn to regret it
Sadly, in the end
We have to stay woke
I tell you my friend
Listen to the people
Throughout this land

We have to bring
Our best A game
If we want to change
The picture frame
It needs to be changed
And don’t we all know it
Now the hard work begins
We have to show it






Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2019.  All rights reserved.

You and I cannot pretend
That Donald Trump couldn’t happen again
Who believed he’d ever win,
Like he did at the last election’s end?
While |’m feeling new jacks, like AOC
Everything they say doesn’t have to be
They are inclined to occasionally slip
As sometimes happens when you shoot from the hip

We cannot afford to
Fall into his trap
Because of inexperience
Or a knowledge gap
Nor should we be sitting ducks
That a master manipulator
Easily plucks
Or a sitting President constantly *****

We can’t afford to throw
Caution to the wind
Then learn to regret it
Sadly, in the end
We have to stay woke
I tell you my friend
Listen to the people
Throughout this land

We have to bring
Our best A game
If we want to change
The picture frame
It needs to be changed
And don’t we all know it
Now the hard work begins
We have to show it






Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2019.  All rights reserved,

By: Cedric McClester

I know that it’s tough
‘Cuz they give you guff
Growing up is rough
But you are enough
Believe when I say
It will be okay
You’ll look back one day
When you’ve made headway

So let them spoof
Don’t be aloof
You’ll discover the truth
That you are the proof
And so pay heed
Oh yes indeed
One day you’ll succeed
You’re all that you need

I thought that you knew
Despite what they do
Or put you through
It’s all up to you
You are the actor
The determining factor
Instead of the reactor
Be the compactor

Let ‘em say their stuff
Don’t be a cream puff
Or stay handcuffed
You are enough
So take it from me
One day you’ll see
That your destiny
Will set you free




Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You call ‘em *******,
Sissys, homos
Like it’s the thing to do
But what has any of that
Got to do with you
Why do you feel threatened
By their lifestyle
And what gives you the right
To attack ‘em anyhow

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

You see a gay guy
And you get so upset
Whether or not
He's approached you yet
Now here’s the question
That you ought to ask yourself
What’s inside your closet
Hidden on the shelf

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

See I’m not advocatin'
Either pro or con
But I believe
Discrimination truly is dead wrong
No one should be attacked
Because of who they are
That’s takin one’s hatred
A giant step too far

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

Live and let live
Is my philosophy
All I ask of anyone
Is to let me be
In return I’ll treat ‘em
With utmost respect
Never mind emotion
I’ll use intellect

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

See I’m not advocatin'
Either pro or con
But I believe
Discrimination truly is dead wrong
No one should be attacked
Because of who they are
That’s takin one’s hatred
A step too far

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story



(c) Copyright, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You call me ugly names
I get your gist
And I confess, nevertheless
It’s come to this
I know what you are
You’re a misogynist
Who presses all my buttons
And gets me ******

You can bully
But you cannot cower me
I’m stronger than that
And I will always be
Someone who fights back
Cuz I don’t take no tea
For the fever
When someone’s attacking see

You do what you do
Because you’re insecure
If I let you get away with it
You’ll do it more
So let’s bring it to an end
Unless you want a war
See I don’t even know
What we’re fighting for

Go ahead now
You’ve had your say
I hope it made your day
In some small way
But keep in mind one day
You’re gonna havta pay
Maybe not this moment
But another day



































Copyright © 2018 Cedric McClester
(101618CM)

By: Cedric McClester



You can call ‘em
Indians, indigenous
Or whatever you prefer
I call ‘em the landlords
Cuz that’s what they were
It’s a rare thought
That doesn’t occur
To those who refer to them as a slur

You can call’em
Indians, indigenous
Or whatever you prefer
By why call ‘em savages
That time-honored slur
When you are the savages
As it were
And the history books
Certainly concur

You can call’em
Indians, indigenous
Or whatever you prefer
But them saving your lives
Didn’t deter
You from slaughtering ‘em
For their pelts of fur
Which you seemed to accomplish
In a historical blur

You can call ’em
Indians, indigenous
Or whatever you prefer
And treat them like
They were demur
Then claim their land
By creating a stir
Which again and again reoccurred











Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You can stop the news
But the word will still get out
It might be a whisper
Or it could be a shout
Still the people will be heard
There isn’t any doubt
And it’s futile for you to
Go the strong-arm route

You can stop the news
But the movement will continue
Out on the public square
Or at another venue
The people are resilient
And you’ll find that when you
Try to restrict their choice
It will still be on the menu

The rule of oppression
One day has to end
Or it will be broken
If it doesn’t bend
The rulers can ignore it
Or they can just pretend
But change is gonna come
In the very end

You can stop the news
And think that your corruption
Forever will continue
Without an interruption
But you would be wrong
It will lead to your destruction
Believe it or not
That’s a logical deduction




Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2018.  All rights  reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You can blame Obama
For the horrible drama
In Syria, I’m hearin’ ya
But despite your chatter
The truth of the matter
Is it occurred under  your watch
And now it’s on you
And your motley crew

You can say it’s his fault
But you called a halt
To removing Assad
So it wasn’t hard
For him to conclude
It was alright dude
For a chemical attack
Now that’s just a fact

Blaming your predecessor
Is none the lesser
Of an affront
So let me be blunt
If you’re such a tough guy
Then answer me why
It occurred at all
Stop  passing the ball

Any way you slice her
Your spokesman Sean Spicer
Can’t speak for you
He hasn’t a clue
As to how it all works
When the chain Assad jerks
Is yours alone
Now your cover is blown






Cedric McClester, Copyright (c)  2017.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Once the love had been rescinded
I don’t think it could be mended
Even though we both pretended
Look at where it actually ended
With us running out of patience
Placing blame then battle stations
Acrimony and accusations
Name-calling and strained relations

You can’t drink
From a broken glass
Nor live your life
In the past
You have to move on
And alas
Accept the color
Once the dye has been cast

For the record I would like to state
That our love had an expiration date
And so it crumbled there’s no debate
Cos there’s a thin line between love and hate
Once that fact had been detected
Though we tried it couldn’t be resurrected
In the ghetto of the love that we erected
Weeds grew where the ground was neglect

You can’t drink
From a broken glass
Nor live your life
In the past
You have to move on
And alas
Accept the color
Once the dye has been cast

What’s the point in seeking answers
All the leaves have fallen off the branches
In the burial ground for failed romances
Lies the graveyard for second chances

It’s pointless for us to try to return
By now you would have thought that we learned
Play with fire and you’ll get burned
You only get out of life what you have earned
So excuse me while I proceed
What we want we don’t always need
The wise ones learn and then take heed
Even though their hearts may bleed

You can’t drink
From a broken glass
Nor live your life
In the past
You have to move on
And alas
Accept the color
Once the dye has been cast




(c) Copyright  2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You can tell
By his noncompliance
That he has
Absolutely no reliance
Upon the prevailing
Science
By his demonstrated
Defiance

Even when
Politely asked
He goes into factories
Completely unmasked
As if that is
Too hard a task
He’d much prefer
To show his ***

He tells one and all
That he’s been tested
And while it’s nice
That he confessed it
It’s not the point
He won’t admit
That what he passes
They could get

Hasn’t he heard
Of a false negative
That many anti-body tests
Tend to give
Is that something
He can live with
Like the symbol of death
Complete with his scythe






Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.

By: Cedrlc McClester

You can’t hide the truth
Or bury the proof
That the President goofed
Once it’s produced
At any rate,
You might choose to debate
But you can’t obfuscate
That kind of weight

What the President tried
Can’t be denied
Despite those who’ve lied
And did their best to hide
The salient facts
With constant attacks
And few take backs
Let's just call ‘em hacks

It’s not overreach
To try to impeach
Someone who has breached
And certain limits are reached
To sit back and do nothing
While people are suffering
Or act like you’re bluffing
Is like taken a Buffrin

So it’s show and prove
If we seek to remove
Those whom we disapprove
As a counter move
We need to go through it
And not just say ***** it
Cuz the sooner we do it
We’ll get out of the pit




Cedric McClester,Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedrlc McClester

You can’t hide the truth
Or bury the proof
That the President goofed
Once it’s produced
At any rate,
You might choose to debate
But you can’t obfuscate
That kind of weight

What the President tried
Can’t be denied
Despite those who’ve lied
And did their best to hide
The salient facts
With constant attacks
And few take backs
You could call ‘em hacks

It’s not overreach
To try to impeach
Someone who has breached
And certain limits are reached
To sit back and do nothing
While people are suffering
Or act like you’re bluffing
Is like taken a Buffrin

So it’s show and prove
If we seek to remove
Those whom we disapprove
As a counter move
We need to go through it
And not just say ***** it
Cuz the sooner we do it
We’ll get out of the pit




       Cedric McClester,Copyright © 2019.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

I’m talking to you
But it applies to me
You can’t play with this
If you want to be sin free
You can’t call God’s Name
And then do Satan’s work
Or hang out all night long
Where the devil usually lurks
Then show up Sunday morning
Holier than thou
Shaking off the hangover
That you picked up somehow

You can’t play with this
Cuz ya can’t get away with this
Is you want perfect bliss
Then this point do not miss

This is not a game
And this is not a joke
Those who play with it
Often wind up broke
Don’t be one of those
Poor in mind and spirit
Who have lost their way
Cuz they ain’t tryin’ to hear it
And don’t call on the Lord
If you aren’t sincere
Cuz that’s a wasted call
From your mouth to God’s Ear

You can’t play with this
Cuz ya can’t get away with this
Is you want perfect bliss
Then this point do not miss

People playin’ games
But they’re not fooling anyone
I’m not naming names
But that don’t mean I’m done
Putting them on blast
So let the spotlight shine
If we expose their past
They’ll be less inclined

You can’t play with this
And you never should
God-fearing people don’t
While worldly people would
You can’t play with this
But many folks are lost
And so they took a chance
But had to pay the cost
You know what I’m sayin’
So don’t cha get it twisted
If you’re still out there playing
Then you have surely missed it

You can’t play with this
Cuz ya can’t get away with this
Is you want perfect bliss
Then this point do not miss


Cedric McClester, Copyright © 2016.  All rights reservec.