Freedom

Part I

I’m from where the fathers ain’t living, at least not wit us

But I always had mine and I see that as a plus

My Dad always stood strong and showed me the way

But I’m still a product of my environment at the same rate

Used to wanna be a paleontologist, but I lost sight of it

The stolen cars and tats in the garage had me distracted 

Slap boxing in the bathroom and talking ‘bout getting girls

The allure of gangs rapping and selling drugs had changed my world

But I found something else, orange bouncy and round

Wanted to play basketball, maybe become world renowned

Didn’t work out , but still I reflect everyday,

‘Bout how me and my friends won the chip back in the ninth grade

Always remember who you are and whose you are 

That’s what my mama told me

I’m a child of God, so when I’m down I know he’ll hold me

Always went to church, Pastor Brown in the pulpit

But immature me was worried bout what’s the next shoes ima get

Now I growed up and glowed up, all my memories come through conversation

My two olders sisters and my girl believe 

I can really change the nation

Growing up, I told them from Atlanta, I gotta get away

But, oh what I would give to cut the grass and wash cars in the driveway 

I’m from Atlanta, East Side Dekalb county to be exact

I’m from the real 6 side, tell Drake we taking it back

Part II

I'm a caged bird

Singing on the sideline

When the buzzer rings

I’m looking up like when is my time

Coach looking down the bench, not calling me

And when he does, I be so nervous Im trippin over my own feet

I can see everything I want

It's right in front of me

But when I try to do my thing

Turnovers are what I bring

I been doing this a long time

Hoopin on kids in the hood. 

But when I get on the team

Only my Pops know I'm good

I'm a caged bird singing on the sideline

Chained to bench with my dreams

It’ll never pan out for me

So when my teammates score I scream

And dance and jump up and down

Like I'm happy for them

But deep down inside a part of me

Wish I was them

I'm a caged bird singing on the sideline cause I wanna be free

I see what I want but can't reach it

Maybe it's not for me, or maybe i should just teach it 

They say those who can, do

And those who can't, teach

So let me switch lanes,

See how many people i can reach

So Ill fly, even if they poison the sky 

Cuz I know there's a purpose for me

And a reason why 

I didn't make it to the league

It just wasn't for me

But I can still break these chains and find my destiny

A caged bird is only caged in the mind you see

Cuz i let freedom ring when I let go and just do me

I'm more MLK than Michael,

And couldn't even see

And i was even raised in his church

But didn't really believe

A man can change the world in many different ways

Just gotta know it ain't gon happen in one or two days

The nba route coulda got us some blue faces

But the dream and helping kids will take us more places

I'm a caged bird, 

But I’m breaking free

And the first thing I had to do was change my mentality.

FREEDOM

A Poem by yours truly,

— J. Kafe

Listen to the Freedom Playlist on Apple Music