Dear Colin

What an inspiration
A role model
See I know how you feel
I'm like you
Mixed race, perspectives of two

From a young age
And to this day I'm ashamed
I hated my blackness
I saw what the world offered them
So I didn't want part of it

And I saw my people
Crying out with no one to listen
So I used my voice
To scream their message loud

They'll call you a traitor
They say it's disrespect
But to be more mad of an anthem
than lives that are lost.
Lives these soldiers fight for
Lives these soldiers die for

You are my hero Kaep
You saved me.
The light in a dark world
Where hope evades the privilege
of a mulatto kid, with white parents

And hope burns in darkness
It shines it's light strong
10 years from now people
who so hated this movement
Will understand
This was the time
You led the rebellion
Against injustice for all.

the church pew thrasher
I'm stuck somewhere between what they say and what they do
communion cups and inner church affairs
painted faces and sanctified stairs
and though I once was blind I now can never unsee
this place has been a heaven for the rivers of hell that abides in in me
and I crossed all of my fingers
knocked my white knuckles on those pews of holy wood
but I found all was lost that kept me young, kind, and good
I learned quick that things never turn out just like they should
and still I cling to hands raised and a few honest bars
the musing of the man on the microphone and my quiet life on mars
If there were any walls they met my fists
if there were any rough edges they all met my wrists
drunk on the blood of my saviors fallen from grace
unable to understand but still a need to see the savior's face
there is no other explanation
there is no other reason

and you,
you couldn't practice what you preach
you,
you couldn't seek what you couldn't reach
you told me to wait while you went on a head
you didn't die to yourself because you were already dead
I should have known
I should have known I should have known
but still I press on in spite of the hell I was shown
still I reach out for the hem of the throne
still
still.

and I'll never understand how much death I lived through
in a place that boasted life for the pure, holy and true
milk and honey met blood and abomination
innocent eyes and tiny hands lead to the greatest devastation
the betrayal of trust
the bread and the cup tarnished with rust
I'll never understand
but still I reach for the Hand

If there were any walls they met my fists
if there were any rough edges they all met my wrists
drunk on the blood of my saviors fallen from grace
unable to understand but still a want to see the savior's face
there is no other explanation
there is no other reason

and you,
you couldn't practice what you preach
you,
you couldn't seek what you couldn't reach
you told me to wait while you went on a head
you didn't die to yourself because you were already dead
I should have known
I should have known I should have known
but still I press on in spite of the hell I was shown
still I reach out for the hem of the throne
still
still.

So I sing to the kid in me that never grew up
the once who's still tripping under the weight of that cup
be still
be still
be still
it was never his will
be still
be still
be still
it isn't your fault, it isn't your crime
don't let it consume you
don't let it poison your mind
just
be still

and you,
you couldn't practice what you preach
you,
you couldn't seek what you couldn't reach
you told me to wait while you went on a head
you didn't die to yourself because you were already dead
I should have known
I should have known I should have known
but still I press on in spite of the hell I was shown
still I reach out for the hem of the throne
still
still.

Thirsty,she came running to him, like any true seeker of wisdom,
erroneously believing this is a flower full of nectar, waiting for her.
That debacle of hers taught him what the real nature of human life is,
a seeker now, he  finds himself,filling his first cup of elixir from her.

Hold your head up, darling, and be proud
of who you are. Never let him douse
your brilliant flame because his mind cannot
process what you are.

Hold your head up, darling, and be proud
of who you are. He is the epitome of a
great leader but all journey's start at home
and his began with you.

Hold your head up, darling, and be proud
of who you are. Your picture is on the walls
of every 10 year old girl who has spent their life
walking under the shadow of their brothers footsteps.

Hold your head up, darling, and be proud
of who you are. You are an angel
who has fought so fiercely and you may
be home in heaven now but just know
I sleep safe and sound in the light of your halo.

Hold your head up, darling, and be proud
of who you are. Darling be proud you are a woman.
-Nathan Joe (-V)

a timeless score
this darling play
no need to rehearse
we open today

cast the roles
--i'll take any part--
ply the strings
tangled in my heart

forever i'll dance
to this hollow tune
in the glare of the sun;
the caress of the moon

ink your script
--be it false or true--
say the words, my love--
say "I love you"

Outside the tower
In fear people cower

Outside that they call the slums
Where people were nothing but bums

Till one day you are called inside
they say the tower you must climb

you are chosen they say
there is a role you will need to portray
you need to conquer
this 300+ floored tower

And at the top they promise
A land full of promise
A wish will be granted
You'll have anything you wanted

You then build dreams as high as the tower
Only to find disappointment
outside they call you chosen
inside they call you a regular

Along with people that were also "chosen"
You must climb with them
live with them
befriend them
Fight them
Betray them
**** them
Step on them to climb

those same people as you
those same people who were chosen
those same people who were called regulars
those same people that share dreams as you

you need to beat them
and carry the weight of betrayals to climb on top
will you still accept
the title of
a REGULAR?