It’s been a while
Confused on what to say
Broken words are uttered
I think I’ve lost my way
You said you’d always love me
I keep asking is it true?
Even after all my mistakes
I should come back to you
But would you accept me?
Or dismiss me like a court case?
I feel bound by my past
All I wanted to be was free
Maybe you forsook me
Like the many that came before
I’m lost like the Prodigal Son
And I’m knocking on your door
Last Time
We haven’t talked in a while
I haven’t gone senile
It’s just I’ve been busy
Spinning in circles, getting dizzy
I know what you’re saying
If I talk to you more, I’d be straight
But it’s so much on my plate
If this is a game, I’m not playing
Can I just be honest?
I can’t remember
The last convo we had
Is my connection really that bad?
I don’t remember
When I read your words last
Or even thanked you
For the present and the past
I don’t remember
The last time I went to your house
Or even seeked your face
No rush, I’m going at your pace
The Well
Everybody comes, friend or foe
Bringing their empty cup
Longing for what I have
Desperate to fill them up
They only care about their need
But I’m supposed to play a role
To give them what they lack
So to their buckets, I heed
Nobody ever wonders
“What about you?”
Some try but they hear an echo
Others get a surface answer
To be honest, it’s hard
They only see me for what i give
A well full of water
But who fills me up?
When I run dry, who supplies
The water that they need?
I’ll just wait for the rain
Of disappointment and greed
When I’m empty, they’re mad
Maybe I’m in a drought too
But nobody really cares
Because giving water is all I do
No more
I don’t wanna create
The energy has left
I feel like dam
Ready to break
What can I say?
That hasn’t already been said
I’m ready to retire my pen
And lay in my bed
Does any of this matter?
Do I even care?
I’d rather cover my soul
Then to lay it bare
Healing comes after the pain
Sunshine after the rain
Washing after the stain
Medicine after being insane
No more I’m tired
I’m sorry I tried
Maybe it’s pride
Or all the tears I cried
Is there a point?
I don’t know
Myself I’ll disappoint
And let the tears flow
Absent Vision
Without a vision, the people perish
What if death is what they cherish?
Maybe they’re fine with being blind
But how many are being left behind?
We don’t need another Malcolm
Nor another Harriet Tubman
They served their time and purpose
We need a different outcome
Maybe you had a vision to free slaves
But to money, your heart you gave
Slavery still exist, it’s in your mind
Being generic instead of one of a kind
Chains on your neck plated in gold
Tell me, how many values were sold?
You embraced death and shunned life
You chose the path to go left, right?
Without a vision the people perish
Walking while they sleep
A dark reality looking nightmarish
But the light nobody seeks
©2019 Henry McLean Jr.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Independence Day 2
Tired of being a slave
Do this, do that
Who said I wanted to be saved?
Watch the throne where He sat
I told Him he wasn’t in charge
Took the crown, put it on my head
Used to be under control
Now I’m sovereign, King is my role
He said the wages of sin is death
But I haven’t seen a paycheck
Green stacks with a black maybach
YOLO till my last breath
Only way i surrender this throne
Is if I’m brainwashed or killed
It’s independence day, no holiday
This is my law, there’s no other way
©2019 Henry McLean Jr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Black History 3
2017 was the year
I finally shared my gift
I was an amateur
Christ is who I wanted to lift
First in the family
Second to be gifted
3 years since it was born
Took 2 for the world to see
Published a book
Nervous and scared
Of what people would say
When they finally take a look
Hopefully it’s the start of more
Won’t be in textbooks
Giving the next generation keys
To be apart of black history
You don’t have to be MLK
Impact doesn’t have a scale
Use the gifts you have
Create history for your family
©2019 Henry McLean Jr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
28
28 years
Never should’ve made it
Life’s been a struggle
Sometimes a garden of tears
10,220 days
Should’ve been in the grave
Or simply another statistic
Yet overcoming my sinful ways
245,280 hours
It’s a drop in the bucket
Some people taking life
While I’m trying to empower
14,716,800 minutes
Still got a race to run
Can’t quit or be disqualified
Focused on the prize to win
Accomplished a lot
But done so little
Christ is the one I appreciate
Thank God I made it to 28
©2019 Henry McLean Jr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Stranger Things
“Hi” he replies
I reply “hi” back
He asks how I’ve been
I say “good” and ask it back
I remember his face
But can’t remember from where
My mind running blanks
I’m trying hard not to stare
He says “so you’re a Christian?”
I reply “yeah are you?”
He says “you could say that”
“Cool”, as I keep my word few
He looks familiar, but different
Do I know him from school?
From church or family?
I’m just hoping I’m not a fool
Our journey is ending
He walks away, but I ask
“What was your name again?”
He turns and says “Henry”
©2019 Henry McLean Jr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Resurrection
They watched him
On the old rugged cross
Heaven mourned
As they witnessed a loss
The Son of God
Who rose others from the grave
Now was under death’s reign
And unto it, his life he gave
Jesus, full of power
Now is empty of life
The enemy rejoicing
Mistaken that he won the hour
One final act
Seemingly impossible
Death was a contact
He broke the pact
Watching them marvel
At the fact he rose
The tomb empty
The smell of victory in His nose
He promised life to his disciples
Sealed by His Resurrection
Sin was a grave mistake
But He made the correction
©2019 Henry McLean Jr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
