Let’s talk about feelings: Tell me what you feel. Tell me all the things That keep you real. How do you feel? Don’t be afraid to say There is no appeal In holding back your day. Let’s talk about feelings; Let’s mention why you’re down. Don’t hold back anything, There’s a reason you frown. Don’t tell me it’s nothing. Don’t tell me it’s not anything. But tell me what’s on your mind, I know there’s something. Let’s talk about feelings Tell me all your emotions Let’s talk about the things That complicate your notions. Let’s talk about sex, But not about feelings. Let’s talk about what Doesn’t involve feelings. Let’s talk about feelings.

Instrumental, Dude!

Love at first sight happens once; First impressions are a loaded gun. A beard can only cover-- Either that, or scratch a lover, And makeup only runs. You only hold me tight when you see that I‘m contrite, And I can only comfort you when you’re down. It’s only when we know the feelings of the other That we begin to turn emotions ‘round. It’s not very often I see what’s on your face, As it’s often covered by a powdered base.

I watch my Maury, What do they say? It’s hard to tell when they have mosaic on their face. They fail polygraph, And then I start to laugh, Because I can’t tell they’re talking up some trash. I watch my Maury, That show is great; Though it might be boring when you can’t tell what they’re sayin’. When they start to bash, It just can’t be surpassed; Or at least I think, they’ve pixilated mouth masks. Sometimes, I think about what they’re sayin’, But after a while, it starts to hurt my brain. Everyone’s a swearer, Defacing their name Mastermind editor blowin’ my brain. Sometimes the crowds just yell out tones That keeps their eloquence from reaching my home. Nobody’s a winner! Ambiguous show: You’ll never find out who knocked up the ho. All they ever do is *Beep beep beep beep* and-a *Beeeep* Now who’s the daddy? I’m not the daddy. He is the daddy. Now who’s the daddy? Eloquent skull head bones slutty hos and whores san clothes Running when they need ‘im to help pay for their newborn spawn. Seventeen year old girls giving birth to future whores: Would you rather get humped for some shoes or a burger? Met on a corner, had sex on a bus Causing her to call up Maury to cuss. We watch her muh-heneh! We spit out our lunch Just so we can yell “Say whaddity-what??” Met on a corner, cost seventy bucks: That’s all it takes to screw a life up. One works twelve hours to earn that large sum, And it’s just used to impregnate scum. M.I.A…. wjieoajnklrernhauhjisoooooooooooooojirbnweiogewhaolwhejioojiborwenioaw Some, some-a, some, they mumble, And some-a, some, they bleep out. Some, some-a, some, they mumble, And some-a, some, they bleep out.

I tried to sink, but I’ve forgotten how; I guess I never learned to drown. Whether underwater or sinking from the ceiling, I can’t get deep enough, though I’m feeling down. It’s been a month since I have slept, Overnight or eternally. By the clock on the wall, awake I’ve been kept; I’ve lived a 720 hour day. Breathing my air for all my life, I’ve been trapped in a glass bell jar. I just want to end my life, But it’s just so goddamn hard. I can’t get away from me; I’m always where I want to be. I can’t get away from the things I have to say And I want some privacy. I tried some pills, at least fifty of them And I lay down in the basement hole. I’m just so ill, and the outlook is grim: A mental hospital is to be my new home. I can’t read, and I can’t write, Though poetry’s always kept me aground. My mother has always proclaimed I’m bright, … but I hate my mom. Breathing my air for all my life, I’ve been trapped in a glass bell jar. My breath has become stale and dry, Like breathing fumes from exhausted cars. I can’t get away from my thoughts and feelings; I just want this pain to stop. Every time I try to end the feeling, Something has to go wrong. Sometimes I resort to kneeling, Asking to repent my suicidal sin. Maybe the church could take me in And offer me a place as nun. I broke a mirror, broke thermometers, Maybe mercury might mend my maladies. I wish they had an idea of “what’s-wrong-with-her?” But that’s something we’ve yet to see.

Ad-lib, man.

He passes away, everyday. He can never live twenty-four hours. It’s hard to survive When you’re not alive, And the grave’s got your name on it already. He just fades away, always decay; A never-ending casual stroll to the end. Perpetual state of not being: He passes away. Perceptive state of not seeing: He passes away. He cannot be saved; He drags himself to the grave, And he’ll never reach it that way. He just turns to dust, eventual combust, And he pulls out his hair, strand by strand. He passes away to forget his day, And to ignore the nighttime. He passes away, as if he wants to say That we’re better off not putting up a fight. Is the only way to live forever To always try to die? You may think this man is clever, But he’d rather not be alive.

Take me home tonight Ooh, show me into your home, So we can do stuff alone. Next week, call me for booty, And I will ignore the phone. Hey, show me where you reside, So then I can come inside. Don’t expect this every week: I’m just way too drunk to speak. Show me where you like to rub; This is why I like the club. Wham bam thank you, gracias, Man. You know how to use that hand. Then I’ll give you fake digits: Next week, expect ten midgets. Maybe you can make me food. Boy, I’ve got you whipped real good. I want sleep in your domain; Sexual interest, easy to feign. I won’t leave you in the morning: I will just pull my blankets over. When that’s done, then we can sleep again, Because you have a nice bed. Yo, Girl, I see you each week, And I don’t know why I never speak to you And I wanna take you home, so we can do things all alone Hey, I really dig your bod: It makes me oh-so-hot. So join me in my apartment, Where we can end on the carpet.

The old man’s wrinkles make him feel Like he’s losing worth in staying around, But, to us, they do reveal Secrets of life to be passed down. Each concave upon his face Supplies us with new ways to grow. The skin these lines replace Has become our own. Trace your fingers along the lines That mark the face of life forgotten And memories lost along with time Just deepen what we see as rotten. Face your wrinkles as gifts from life To remind you of what has happened. Instead of dreading the passage of time, Learn to read the code of your skin. The old man’s mirror makes him shudder-- He’s lost one hair after another. But each hair is more weight on the top. It’s a burden, and it’s got to stop sometime. But what about his failing vision? He played no part in that decision. It is only nature’s way To keep you from seeing you age.

I can’t wait for April’s arrival; I anticipate her coming to my door. Essential is the March survival That keeps her anchored to the floor. And though I’ve never cared too much for pain, I await the day she starts to rain; For April showers bring May flowers, And I can miss her once again. I can’t wait for April’s appearance: Each visit proves the ease of adherence. All through the day, and all through the night,. Her clouds cover up the light,. But the eyes of April provide some clearance. I can’t wait for April To come to my door; And even though her tears may say so, Surviving her is not a chore.

I am fly--/Let me tell you why:/I'm fly 'cause I'm hot/And you, mos’ def, are not./I'm great/It's not too bold to state/And you would be so lucky if I asked you on a date/I'm cool/Forget I said I'm hot/I know just how to flaunt the God-given gift I've got/I'm neat/Excuse my old school speak/But grannies coast-to-coast love to watch me freak/I'm great/I'm impossible to hate/If you disagree, my ego will inflate/I'm tight/Yes, you know I'm right/I'd slow down to explain, but I'm about to miss a flight./I'm slick/God, I'm so legit./I just cain' believe the poetry I spit./And I grand/That's just who I am/If you accuse of foolin', then you can ask my fam./I'm smooth/My words will always soothe/And your mother thinks my rhymes polite; they never reach uncouth/I'm boss/I'm always with my poss[e]/If you refuse to roll with me, Honey, it's your loss./I'm gangsta--

Do you happen to have information About the person I used to be? You see, I have some inclinations, But they don't seem to be helping me. Look at all the mind I'm losing; Notice my tissue gone up in flames. Realizing my memory's fading; Now remind me: what is your name? Can we just forget the whole thing? Can we just get on with our day? Can we turn the conversation on you, Or do you want to forget my day? Forget with me. Forget that I forget. Look at the motor skills I'm losing; Watch the TV without any brains. Notice all the nothing that's been said And the loss of plot with every frame. And when things seem to improve, You will smile like a child on Christmas day. But, silly thing, the next day I don't move, And you'll ask me what just happened?

I want a day Where I don’t have to say Goodnight. Don’t go away, Want you to stay All night. I want to see You next to me In bed. You’re so pretty— Endless beauty… Perfect. I’ve never seen your face so plain, And I must say—I can’t complain. When I see it, I must refrain From kissing it again and again. If I could have my way, I’d wake to this each day. And so I pray That you’ll decide to stay.

I’ve been eating myself to death; Choking out all my breath; Swallowing my shriveled tongue, To which all my words have clung; Making up a silted pass, Forfeiting reputed class; Conquering the electric chair, Waiting for my soul to bear. And I don’t think it matters Whether I expel my blues When I don’t even have them: I just don’t see the use. I have never seen a better girl Than the one I right now hold. I’ve yet to hug a better comfort Than the one that fits my mold. Never heard a better joke, Never had a better kiss, Than the one that you just told, Than the one that’s from your lips. And I don’t see the point of Speaking of the world gone wrong If I want to pour my heart out, I’d rather do it through song.

Love at first sight happens once; First impressions are a loaded gun. A beard can only cover-- Either that, or scratch a lover, And makeup only runs. I knew right from the start, You'll have taken my heart. It was written on your face: My middle name is Grace. I knew right then and there, I'll never stop holding your hair. It was written on your sleeve: I'll never leave. Love at first Sight happens once And impressions a loaded-- A beard can cover a scratch Or scratch a lover Or scratch your cover.

A life composed of stepping stones Will slowly take you to the top Just don’t fall and break your bones One step at a time--don’t hop! Sometimes in life, you try too hard And you wind up on your face But don’t stand still; just take your time And all will fall into place Now, when I chose the community Instead of ivy league immunity, I wasn’t prepared to live far away From my beloved community But I received many sideways glances From those who believed I had blown my chances “Why would you waste your time with the stupids?” And they just wouldn’t try to accept any answers. “It’s cheaper, it’s easy, it’s nice preparation “For something that would otherwise have me heading for evasion “Evasion of taxes for being so in debt “And evasion of school for feeling so inept.” I just wasn’t ready, and I feel that’s OK Because to a better college, I am on my way. And when you’re with a person, when you’re on a first date And you decide to take that person home (because it’s getting late) They may ask you to come in, with full intentions of cumin’ But you should refuse; don’t ever take the bait. You see, moving way too fast will just leave you in the dust But staying where you are is a mating call for rust Your date, at first, may feel just a little bit rejected But in the long run, they’ll be happy you’re so directed. Yeah, yeah… So I’ll be the first person to admit That there are times when I don’t give my all But I do more than hang around and sit Look where I am thus far! I’m going to school to get an education I’ve got me a girl and a part-time vocation. Not that there’s nothing else to a happy life Finding peace within oneself can get you just as far And I’m not saying my life couldn’t be better, But I’ve no reason to feel under the weather. And the whole point that I’m trying to make is That my life is progressing very nicely everyday, Kids. So do what you can, but don’t do too much A piano player shows off, but he doesn’t lose his touch A baseball player dives but she doesn’t need a crutch And you can run your lives, just don’t use too many short cuts.

When you look at me with anger, Your forehead gets a little crease. And despite your face contorting, I Don’t want it to release. And your disgusted expression Carries an ugly tune. But at this time, your mouth becomes A sideways crescent moon. And every time you start to cry, Water drips from below your eye. Each a vessel of your emotion; A tiny boat upon an ocean. And whenever you choose to grit your teeth, It’s like snow against your tan complexion. They’re pearls that line along your mouth And are too pretty to even mention. And when I don't give what you desire, Inside your eyes ignites a fire. Whenever your anger begins to grow, Your rose-red blood increases flow.