You Still Rap?

I see people from the past, and they ask, “You still rap?”

Absolutely, but it isn’t for the bag. “Why is that?”

I’m happy with the job that I have. “What you do?”

Teaching full time, movin class to class. “At the school?”

They mostly sound surprised to be honest and I get it.

Barely held together this conversation, forget a lesson.

Look at pictures of one another’s kids, countin our blessings,

pleasantries exchanged, separate ways, lesser tensions.

And it’s tough remainin the person who you’ve become

around anybody who remembers you best when you were young.

Was embarrassed about it, now I think of it and shrug.

Long as the goodness remains, I’ll show you nothing but love.

After all, some of us never made it this far.

We wear their names on our arms, dream of their faces and sob,

so we’re both still here, and I hope you’re doing well,

congratulations, be safe, take care of yourself.

 “Ay, man, remember me from school?” Yes, I do.

“How’s that rap thing I always heard you do?” Guess it’s cool.

“So are you famous yet or not? I know you’re paid.”

Nope, we both live the same, check-to-check, day-to-day.

People rarely mean it askin after how I’m doing,

I respond with the same question. They find it confusin.

Askin follow-ups because I do care,

Just don’t expect us to share the same friendship after all these years.

I been livin off experience, blood pressure rising,

gray hairs crawlin through my beard like ivy.

Long as you’re not an asshole, I’ll treat you kindly,

then again I empathize with those who don’t like me.

Depends on the timing. Never while I’m on the phone

with my kid while she’s quickly sharing all of her findings

on which letter’s the best, or which color’s her favorite

and I gotta focus on it, because every day it changes.

We’re both probably goin through it,

and we both probably got a lot we’re grateful for. I set mine to music.

Hope the good times stay, and the bad starts improvin.

It’s been good to see you, fam, but I need to keep it movin.

“Ay, man, remember me from school?” Yes, I do.

“How’s that rap thing I always heard you do?” Guess it’s cool.

“So are you famous yet or not? I know you’re paid.”

Nope, we both live the same, check-to-check, day-to-day.