The Heart Part V by Kendrick Lamar

By the time you’re reading this Kendrick Lamar has released his album. It’s been about a week now. He released on Friday the 13th. I don’t miss a lot of people when they stop talking, but when I tell you I’ve been WAITING for Kendrick. I’ve been waiting for him. During quarantine, there were days I just wondered what he thought, what he understands about the times we’re in. As a new father of two girls, I swear I leaned into anything just to hear more of what he meant. Just to understand him a bit more. He really encourages my mind. So no wonder within a week of him releasing an album, I’m writing and posting and being a writer. I always am, whether I share or not, whether I write or not. This song is a culmination of so much love. First of all, I Want You by Marvin Gaye is one of my favorite songs ever. It just is. It’s sex in your ears. It’s pleading. It’s hot. It’s groovy and all red. Just chefs kiss truly. Second, if it isn’t obvious I love Kendrick Lamar and his obedience to his voice. The Heart Part IV was amazing. I’m super mad he took it off of streaming platforms but I’m happy it still exists. Because he’s sometimes a vessel for his homies and their stories. He’s a griot. They tell the stories of the past and they’re in charge of passing that down, the same way he did on TPAB with Tupac. He honored Nipsey Hustle and allowed his energy to send a message to Kendrick’s heart, to his family and his community. I feel so blessed to look up to someone as a writer who honors his voice, honors his responsibility as a griot. This is something not as good as Kendrick but a little thought I wrote.

Untitled Uber Ride Home

I leave my body at his place

I Don’t come by when he says it’s still on his floor

Or when he slips on it in the bathroom

Or when it sticks out of the couch cushions.

I disassociated from my dismemberment on the ride home

I threw everything you touched out on the highway

What we do, is supposed to bring comfort

Bring longings closer to belongings

Why do we only acknowledge our hunger when  we come to the tables to devour each other

I hid my poetry from you and just let you have my body

I hid the vault of rhymes and fine lines behind red eyes and dry smiles that crinkled in the corners

They know where to hide in me

They sometimes find a closet in me

And peek out while I look for them.

Yeah the poetry hides from me too

What made you think it would welcome you?

Thank you 😊