Mirror Talk

(album: This Time Around 2 - 2022)

Say something I can feel
Show something that is real, baby
Say something I can feel
Show something that is real, oh (Yeah)

I hate what I see in the mirror
What I saw got me scared to face the truth like I'm in a court of law
Frail disposition, immature decisions
The fruit of lacking growth, that's what I call slim pickings
The only thing slim about me, my disguise
Yelling "unashamed" all while ashamed of my size
Body and eco, Poly' and Negro
Hair too big for me to see like when they block the screen
So when friends became brands, I felt treated like a has-been
Reality check, I collect without cashing
Came to terms with it, I learned business
Grows with earned interest, wish I was worth that transaction
Christianity brings attachment
A Christian ain't on the same line as friends like fractions
Man in the mirror talk, running like Madden
Rap like this '85, somewhere out in Aspen
That's why I'm anxious, asking all this for a feature
Even Trip and 'Crae because I know they see my value
Fragile heart torn apart from broken values
I confess, man, I see myself as less than
Or more or less, really, less than the rest, man
But they ain't responsible for my weakness
Despite my secrets, man, am I my brother's keeper?
No shade, just light on my true colors
Most of us colorblind, pretending like undercover
Airing out my dirty laundry
I had to, man, even if it haunts me
Fighting for sanity is daunting
Private thoughts made public to reach desire
Don't misconstrue my confession for friendly fire
Insecurity makes you question who's fired

Say something I can feel
Show something that is real, baby
Say something I can feel
Show something that is real, oh

Villa out in Venice, sipping vino by the water
Not bad for a kid without his father
From the sticks, known to roll up with the trees
Now it's Saint Mark acting blackish for the Europeans
White cues, proper English, run the table, that's the object
Scratch that, I see they stripes and they ain't solid
Tryna belong far from home like college
Like that Marvel movie, it's an illusion, I got it
Hard to have the skin most hated by most
It sucks to be alone, no matter the coast
To be accepted for your dances, but rejected for your stances
Tick tock, time flies, but they waste it on a post
Thoughts in my mind on the way to a flight
Came from the bottom, every step's a new height
Day one or one day, that's the fight
Becoming who I am, man, I saw the light
Yeah, work hard, play harder, that's the motto
Work smart, play smarter, that's what I know
Bad company corrupts, watch who you follow
Trust is the easiest thing to get
Except when you lose it like placing bets
To earn it back is like trying to pay a debt
That'll leave you feeling all regret
Had to make it off the plantation
Evangelicals love me less than this damn nation
Walked on eggshells, enduring this fan hatred
Fake friends telling me to have patience
Like I ain't spend years assimilating for acceptance
Like I ain't work in they churches despite they efforts
Like I ain't see 'em sit silent when cops behead us
Done with people using me for white blessings