My Day

today, I passed a liquor store
and didn’t stick it up
I really wanted to make a score
but jail’s a bitter cup

today I saw a lady
whose purse I didn’t snatch
I know it sounds real shady
but those marks I used to catch

today I passed the dope man
and didn’t even stop
I used to always have a plan
on when and where to cop

I guess you’re asking why
I’m spitting about my struggle
I’m just trying not to cry
while doing the “right/wrong” juggle

I know it must seem dumb to you
this plight I have to bear
but if I don’t be honest and true
the guilt I’ll always wear

you see, I’ve lived a horrid past
and day to day I try
not to take that fatal blast
cause if I do, I’ll die

So, tomorrow I’ll try again
another chance to do it right
I’m learning to be my own best friend
and win this hard-assed fight


© 2005 swing first productions

Don't shoot, my hands are up...

In the last 10 years 2000 people have been murdered by
police in nj and ny
2000 people….
and the term
“Justifiable Homicide.”
becomes the phrase of choice.
They kill
(Anthony Rosario, Hilton Vega)
teen-agers
(Patrick Bailey, Malcolm Ferguson)
too many to name
and we scream
(Anibal Carrasquillo)
and scream
and protest
(Amadou Diallo)
and march
and write
(Anthony Baez)
and the murder continues…
36 in ny alone since 9/11
when we made heroes out of
new york’s finest.
pardon me
if I don’t join in the
celebration.
see
I’m more afraid of
Detective Patrick Bronson
than Osama Bin Laden
cause they have the power
to kill my black ass
whenever
and wherever
they choose.
Who will stop their reign
of terror
right here, right now?
Someway, somehow…
Because I’m scared for me
and you
the wars are on many
shores
we say
bring our troops home
but what about the ones
already here
wearing badges
and crossing the
thin blue line
everytime
you or I don’t
jump high enough
or
move fast enough
for them
to feel safe enough
to protect us
from us
so their solution
is to
fuck the constitution
and shoot us
41 times
In their
war on crimes
against the state
But wait!!
It gets deeper than that…
to cover up
the corrupt
Mayor Giuliani
will kill anybody
just to keep his shit
on lock…
by the way
who killed Biggie
and Pac?

© 2005 swing first productions

the feeding tube

today there was a story on the news
about disconnecting a feeding tube
and I was wondering about
all the kids who have to shout
just so they can eat tonight
is congress called about their plight?
what judge will make a decision
on putting some food in their kitchen?
whose gonna take the weight
for all the times that they haven't ate?
please understand that I'm not hating
just tired of sitting around and waiting.
waiting for the day
when white folks will stand and say
that little black babies have a right to live
and to them we should also give.
now, don't get me wrong, I don't want your dough
nor, am I cold towards her you know
I'm just trying to understand
how this girl's life is in demand
but for the poor, no one gives a damn!
people protested and filed a congressional order
would they have done the same if it were my daughter
yes, we have the right to fight for life
but, let the president come between a man and his wife?
he's the same cat that got us Iraq bound
and the weapons of mass destruction still haven't been found.
so, how does the government cross the line
and get all up in between me and mine?
the media spin has folks all upset
and when emotions get hot, people tend to forget
about the fact that the war is unjust
and people are starving right across from us
about 1 out of 3 black men ending up doing time
and gangs killing folks at the drop of a dime
while gas goes up past 2 bucks
we're still buying suv's and trucks.
still convinced that the price will come down
?cause we're blowing up Iraqi ground.
what will it take for us to see
that misdirection is their key
they keep us watching one thing
while they're busy doing another
causing us to hate our own damn brother
meanwhile, millions die
and i wonder why
folks want to try
to save the life
of somebody's wife
while the president grins
and the media spins
the truth around and around
you stand in line
with a protest sign
as the feeding tube hits the ground.


© swing first productions, 2005