if the rich want payment, they can get in line—
i’m always going to pay myself first
& second. forgive me, i’ve been broke.
i’ve been rent due & payday missing.
that never stopped me from dancing,
hands in the air bouncing to the bass
of my favorite rapper’s favorite lies.
let me take that back, i don’t know
who lies & who tells the truth,
but on my tongue every rap is a lie.
still i skip the corner store toilet paper
for the triple-ply deluxe rolls. the rich
believe only they deserve soft asses.
i was born past due. born in collections.
Paul Wall says open up my mouth & sunlight
illuminates the dark. i mouth along, but know this:
from my mouth only darkness follows darkness.