Concrete Jungle Rhythm

Morning bus breath, coffee on my sleeve Corner store light,

trying to believe

Everybody working with a weight in their grin I nod at the

ones who been where I been

Shoes on the wire,

kids playing tag Old head preaching from a paper bag Bills in

my pocket like they got teeth Still I walk steady,

still I keep peace Sirens far off,

then the quiet comes back Whole block speaking in a code we

unpack I learned quick: pride don’t pay the rent So I stack

small wins, every cent If I fall,

I fall forward, not flat If I hurt,

I don’t hand it right back Street life,

it can raise you up or wear you thin

Hold tight, keep your name clean in the wind

One step, then another,

let the night pass by I’m still here,

I’m still here, I’m still trying

Street life, street life,

we don’t fold

Same sun, different shade,

different cold I keep love in my chest,

keep hope in my hands Trying to make a home on borrowed

land Street life, street life,

hear that drum

Every block got a song where I’m from Late shift glow on

the glass of the train Some folks numb,

some praying through the rain A friend of mine said,

“Man, don’t get stuck,” So I wrote down dreams in the margins

of luck

Couple bad nights, but I won’t call it cursed I seen good

hearts break, then rehearse

We share one bench,

but not the same view Still I make room,

still I make do

Mama said, “Boy, let your temper be small,” So I breathe out

slow when I’m up against the wall I don’t need a crown,

I don’t need a fight

Just a little calm and a key to the light

If you know this road,

you know the cost Names on the mural,

moments we lost But we laugh anyway,

on the stoop, on the stairs Small joys survive like weeds through

cracks

Street life, street life,

we don’t fold Same sun,

different shade, different cold

I keep love in my chest,

keep hope in my hands Trying to make a home on borrowed

land Street life, street life,

hear that drum

Every block got a song where I’m from

Street life, keep me

kind Street life,

clear

my

mind