They said I was nothing
and for a hot second,
I believed them.

Would it be treason
to say I agreed with them?
I wasn’t alone.
They got to the roots
of my family tree.
They spat at our feet
and talked down on us
like we’re a herd of sheep.

I don’t want to feel weak
but this life has left me feeble
Not the same as I used to be –
hoping to fade away
while rolling some tree.

They said I was nothing again
but that second got cold,
and I started to get bold.

Don’t listen to those you can’t trust.
Life isn’t about busting slugs
it’s more about failure than success;
either your life’s clean, or it’s a mess.

Failure is not easily defined
unless you look for it
like a thin line.

Success is easily defined;
once you start, you keep going
like a zip line.

I denied my success
because they thought
I was nothing …
While they party, I study.
While they travel, I work.
From nothing
to up-and-coming,
I am the one.

One day you said
I was somebody and
knocked the dust off my smile
at least for a little while.

After the cold hour
I deceived them.
They confuse desperation
for initiation.

Just negativity, so I leave ’em
Want to pick up the twenty-twos
so I can squeeze ’em.
Instead, I pray for ’em.

In my own weather,
let me brainstorm.
We’re all different
but hate in the same form.

2-3-4-5 seconds later
why believe them?
Their words mean squat
nothing more than a whim
Thank God I’m unique,
they’re as common as Tim
I still falter because
it feels better to give in.
But then I remember if
it’s not keeping me up at night,
then what’s the point?

As the valves open
I can feel the explosions
as I speed down this street.
I pray for traction I can keep
and if I slip and desire to slide,
I pray to the Lord
my soul to keep.

They said all I have is my face
but I care about my brain.
Not everyone is perfect,
but at least I’m not the same.

The next day
you said I was more than
some body
and I know you are the truth.

Looked in the mirror and
saw my reflection:
I’m something,
not a nothing.
Just straight stunning
Might be bumpy,
but not so lumpy.
I’m on the ride until we die.

I stayed to myself
and overachieved.
Never was a hater,
I like to see everybody eat.
If you’re riding with me,
we’re all balling Fam, my treat.

My head held high
I’m looking at Mars
in space where I see those stars
looking back at me.

I taught myself
I’m not the opinion of others.
I am my own definition
of intelligent,
my own definition
of good enough.

I told myself
I’d prove them wrong
and on May 31,
graduation day,
they will be wrong.

I’m trying to make
my family happy
so I can go to heaven.
I’m never stressing
I just love to receive blessings.

Now I know I am everything;
the beginning during the end
and so are you, my friend.