I take cover under shelter
I cower at the sight
I’ve seen too much brutality
Every day that turns to night
It’s a forgone conclusion
There’s evil on these streets
You’ve got to be suspicious
Of everyone you meet
The Devil walks amongst us
He’s draped in purple sheets
Tapping on the pavement
The ground beneath our feet
He speaks of tales and folklore
He’s a thorn that rides a rose
That ****** your tender finger
When you’re vulnerable; exposed
Take heed and hear my warning
Don’t be put under a spell
Because he’s got your reservation
For your seat way down in hell

I’ll paint you different colors
Until all you see is red
I’ll allow you conversation
With the voices in my head
They’ll tell you you should ditch me
About all the tears and times I’ve bled
But nothing can compare with the words you never said
The words you never uttered
To the journey you once led
Now all you are is a dream to me
As I lie awake in bed

I had an urge to soar
When I opened the front door
I needed to explore
The world and all it’s lore
The things I’ve heard
And have not yet seen
If only on the TV screen
All the things imagined
Asleep and in my dreams
All the colors of the rainbow
Purple, red, blue and green
Things aren’t how I thought they’d be
Two for you and one for me
And now I see the hypocrisy
So close your eyes, inhale and breathe

As if my heart wasn’t yours already
I’m enamored by your charm
The one with bells and whistles
That sounds like an alarm
It wakes me up from stagnant times
It fills my heart with joy
Like that special feeling
Between a girl and boy
The reason I’m believing
Is the reason why I care
You’re an angel sent before me
To help me get prepared
Prepared to live and prosper
To show no signs of fear
Then we can live in Paradise
With peace between our ears

When I look into your eyes
I see the deepest darkest depths
That goes on for an eternity
I see tears that have been wept
I see empowerment like no other
No wilt or run for cover
I see passion on a monumental scale
I see resilience in your efforts
That culminates your days
I see a bright and better future
Filled with love and praise
That is what I want for you
To overcome and to be free
And to live a life worth living
That is what I’d like to see

Each new day brings with it
A new start and a smile
A first step towards the ending of a metaphoric mile
A shimmer of hope at the end of your rope
Which you haven’t felt in a while
Doing it with a touch of class
A sense of flair and style
Something that you haven’t felt since you were just a child
A resilience that resists all doubt
Whether caged or in the wild
And that can form the basis of
An ego in denial

How can I fill that void within?
Consume knowledge, so my head won’t spin
Why do I reach and grab for air?
Conduct my life, that I deem not fair
When will I heed my own advice?
Advance in life and not think twice
Where will I go? What will I do?
Have a dream I must pursue
What will I say, not hold my tongue?
Breathe in air with my iron lung
And if I do not adapt soon
Will I fall ill to my impending doom?