FINALLY
I've made it
As I throw my fist in the air
And show the world my widest smile
I rejoice with everything in me
For I, have finally made it
I let out the deep sigh
That I've been holding in
Since I crossed the starting line
I stand still, I stand firm
And I stand tall
For I, Joshua Humphries,
have finally made it
No more looking back
The point of destination has been reached
Didn't think I would make it
People threw knives
And words that cut me deep
But I went past the forks in the road
And with my head held high I went straight
For I, Josh Humphries
The one that even doubted himself,
Has finally made it
I traveled far,
And FINALLY,
After all the beams of sweat fell from my forehead,
And continued down to my eyes
I admit At first,
I couldn't tell if they were showers of sweat
or tears
BUT WHATEVER THEY WERE,
I pulled them away from my blinded eyes
And after rowing down my own streams
For I,
Have found love
For I am content,
I need no more than what I have
All I need now is you to be in your presence
The one that fills my cup,
And seems to always overflow
It's the one that always gives
And gives more than I need
It's the one that looks at a shattered boy,
And has the time to piece me,
Back together, but better
The one that greets me in the morning
The one that makes me stand taller
The one that makes me run farther
Streams, nor serpents, nor words
Can stop this,
I used to be infatuated with
The clothes,
But because of you,
The things that fuel and motivate me
Are seeing you, making goals,
And having dreams to focus on
I pray that someday in the future
My best friend will never become my enemy
I give you all of me,
Because it's all I can offer
As I'm here reciting this to you
I might be stumbling on my words,
****, I do stumble on my words a lotIt only happens when I speak from the heart,
Just know that you're one of the best things
To happen to me in my young life
So as I give the world my widest smile
And throw my fist in the air,
I give you the other one
And rejoice,
As I can finally say,
I made it,
I found, love

Hopeless nights of our lungs giving out. Last July, you promised this would all stop.

But here I am. Grasping the bed sheets wondering where you are? Do you want to be with me?

When you're alone you call me and kiss my face. I give in again.

But tonight is different the despair had won this race of lies. I'm tired of competing when I'm never gonna qualify.

You're going to be running for a long time.
Your eyes are on the finish line, your eyes are pointed towards-
What was that? Happiness?
No, that's not what you're chasing.
You want to be better than them, but that's not being happy
Because, and I'm sure you know,
It's all
A
Competition.
You run and you run and you fall and you get back up
To beat them, of course. To show that you can go further
You can push yourself to do whatever they're doing
(Your friends, your enemies, what's the difference anyways?)
But a thousand times better.
Better yet, make that a million.
What you don't understand though, is that the tables have turned
And now it's a race to see-
Who's sadder? Who's suffering more?
Nobody pays attention to what you feel, you think to yourself.
You have to show them. You have to fight.
Show them you're hurt or make something up!
As long as the attention is on you!
Are you happy? No.
Are you successfully taking advantage of others' pity?
You're **** right.
But it's all a race, a fight, a competition, a
Pile of crap, that's what it is.
You won't get anywhere pushing yourself to be more ******* up
You think you're outside of the box and unique because you have feelings.
You're just like everyone else, you don't even try to be happy.
Have fun fitting in with those who bury themselves alive.
It's not a game.

Maybe if the noose around your neck wouldn't cinch so tight, when you deliberately wander off the path that has been chosen for you; maybe if you wouldn't perish, the day you lay your back on; maybe if your certificates and other materials gatherings weren't made your only primal instincts; maybe when you'd be treated with the same reverence as the man landing his foot on the moon, for he was only doing his job; Maybe if we the rats were friends for once not foes, this world would have been much better than this false pretense.

Maybe on that day you'll appreciate the happiness of true freedom!

(in honor of 16shots by Vic Mensa)

humans :  dec. 10, 2023.
                         subject X
                         wavy hair, African descent.
                         command issued: bow down
                         return: subject X fails to conform
                         return: subject X fails to bow down.

subject X: Resist
                  Resist
                  Resist

humans : Subject X seems to have rejected        
                         our psych training.
                         return: conversion to slave failed.
                         inference: indomitable spirit 
                         advise: imprison subject X          immediately.
                       new orders: We have a rebel.  
                       I repeat: we have a REBEL!

I'm a Londoner
I embrace diversity
I relish cultural complexity
I feed on cross border connectivity
I laugh at the concept of heritage unity
I revel in the uncertainty of multi race identity.
I love my God, in His graceful domesticity
Here across this broad city.

Democracy is a funny thing
It works for some, but not for all

Lovely when it works for you
When your voice that matters

But a **** shame, when it doesn't
To be at the whim of a majority

A majority who had to vote
Against owning another human being

A majority that said well
Unless you're in prison, then its alright

A majority who said
Being black without a job is a criminal offense

A majority who refused to hire
And who paid next to nothing

A majority who finally agreed for women to vote
Finally an opportunity for them to speak

A majority who said sure minorites you too
But that voice doesn't matter

A majority that makes a the rules
And a minority that has to wait

Wait for a time when its okay
For the majority to give up power

Wait for a time when enough is enough
But until then I'll scream my silent scream

The voiceless will topple towers
And remember it was you who
Silenced them.