Tupac Shakur was a voice of my generation. He gave a voice to our angst and displeasure at what was going on around us. He gave a voice to what black men had to do in some cases to survive. He gave a voice to what we do in the dark when we are alone and in despair and feel like the world is collapsing around us. This June, Tupac would’ve been 42 years old. I wonder what he would’ve had to say about Katrina, 9/11, the mass incarceration of black men, President Obama’s election and re-election, and the state of hip-hop today.

I Cry

Sometimes when I’m alone
I Cry,
Cause I am on my own.
The tears I cry are bitter and warm.
They flow with life but take no form
I Cry because my heart is torn.
I find it difficult to carry on.
If I had an ear to confide in,
I would cry among my treasured friend,
but who do you know that stops that long,
to help another carry on.
The world moves fast and it would rather pass by.
Then to stop and see what makes one cry,
so painful and sad.
And sometimes…
I Cry
and no one cares about why.