Today I will be free
Unencumbered
Put aside childish things
And habits that do not suit me
Today the record
Will not skip
Life will go on
Without me getting in the way
I will be present
Mindful
Dignified
Aware
I will not be controlled
By ugliness
Today is a new day
I am free
I will fight
I will light my own path
And overcome my own demons
I brought them into this world
And I can take them out.

Blend in
Adapt
Your skin is your badge
Do you believe what they say about you?

Change or die
Robin Hood
Street justice
Bend the system

Could you love a foreigner?
I don’t know your language
You don’t know me

They’re smaller
They’re poorer
They’re not a threat

Give me your money
You laugh
They hit you with a bat
And take it from you

A smile condescends
An averted glance
Is self-righteous

Who will make amends?
I quickly walk away.

How I wish these paved streets
Were still grassy meadows
Then I could feel your life
Under my feet

Persistent sprouts crack
The sidewalk
Like a man buried alive
Clawing its way to the surface

I can’t tell if I am nearer
Or farther from the
Energy source
Living in the city

There is so much more
Stimulous
And so many more
Barriers

Am I really living?
I mean really living?

Is God like a million strings
Attached to my body?
I can move but I must
Be ever conscious of the tension

The guiding forces
That choose my steps for me
Open my mouth
And guide my hands

So how do I live?

The greatest commandment
Is to love one another
Or at least
Do no harm

And don’t draw too much attention
To yourself
Or others will notice
Your broken strings
And scoff

The way you share your smile
With the world
Makes you beautiful

The way you step aside
To let the ignorant one pass by
Earns you respect

The way you keep silent
As fools defend and offend
Proves your wisdom

The way you look around
Really look
Makes them wonder

The way you show interest
In anyone but yourself
Makes you shine

Sattva
Bhakti

During the day
I take on such importance

Look what I’m doing
Look what I did
Look what I will do

Your praises are not yet
Ever on my lips

So I tattoo them on my body

Devotion means
Remembering you before
Each word I speak

Balance means keeping
A state of mind where
Thoughts of you can grow.

You
My source of wonder
You
My protector
You
My kindness & mercy
You
My wisdom