10. me vs. me

let me hear it

one time

for the 215,

it’s the city

that raised me,

the only place

i’ve known

my whole life,

they hate it,

but i embrace it,

the day trips

to the fashion district

and the late nights

on broad street,

not a bad seat

down at CBP,

south philly made me,

it’s where i’m racing

like i’m saquon

to claim the throne,

and when i win it all

like it’s ’18,

they’ll be setting up

the parade for me.

eight years

and i’m still finding

new shit to say,

35 albums

and i’m still keeping

that bar raised

with every record i make,

‘cause in this poetry game,

it’s me vs. me,

it’s been a journey

but i’m still going,

had to chop

a few heads off,

but i didn’t step

on nobody

that didn’t deserve it,

the ones i once

called “idols”

got stuck in a spiral,

praying on my downfall,

but every album cycle,

i know they’re seated

ready for my arrival.

put the crown back on

and adjust it tight,

let it ring,

i’m the king,

i got classics to write,

mama’s sweet prince

on the way

to be a star now,

they may not

believe it,

but one day,

they’re gonna see it,

through the highs

and the lows,

i’m still right here,

lost a lot,

but what i never lost

is faith in the pen,

had to be patient,

lotta waiting

for the moment i win,

but no matter

how long it takes,

i’m gonna make it work,

i’ll live forever

through the art,

through the nouns

and the verbs,

so save a seat

in the hall of fame

for the wizard with words.

and that’s it…

that’s beautiful…

run that back

from the beginning,

i gotta read

this whole thing again…

that’s beautiful, man…