By: Cedric McClester

It’s a shame
And the disgrace is
A neon shirt
And pink shoelaces
Resulted in an act
So tasteless
That the victim wound up
With stitches in some places

A neon shirt and pink shoelaces
Or acting effeminate
If that’s what the case is
Physically attacking him
Was entirely baseless
And sooner or later
We all need to face this

Why you ask
Was he under attack
Homophobia
And as a matter of fact
Though it’s not a case
Of white or black
The bottom line is
It was a hateful act

A neon shirt and pink shoelaces
Or acting effeminate
If that’s what the case is
Physically attacking him
Was entirely baseless
And sooner or later
We all need to face this

What people do
In my point of view
Is a matter of personal choice
Not up for review
Unless it’s hurting others
Or causes their rights to
Be infringed upon
Then ya might wanna sue

A neon shirt and pink shoelaces
Or acting effeminate
If that’s what the case is
Physically attacking him
Was entirely baseless
And sooner or later
We all need to face this

And here’s the thing
That I don’t get
How is what he does
Considered a threat
To anybody else
Albeit
Even those who object
Shouldn’t become upset – cos

A neon shirt and pink shoelaces
Or acting effeminate
If that’s what the case is
Physically attacking him
Was entirely baseless
And sooner or later
We all need to face this


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

God is Great
But not the one
That has 'em killing
Just for fun
By suicide vest, knife or gun
Then celebrating once they're done


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

It wasn’t made up no it was real
Can’t you see ‘em can’t you feel
The ghosts of those whose last meal
Was fed at Auschwitz no appeal
Death by labor or by disease
Or the gassed air that they breathed
While the whole world was deceived
By what they could not believe

I hear the echoes of the dead
From Auschwitz where people fed
Gas ovens whose secrets are said
To dot the path of human dread

The air was musty the train car cramped
That took ‘em to the concentration camp
Before the process was revamped
They were crudely housed tattooed or stamped
And they were sent there both night and day
One million plus from what they say
Human lives wete thrown away
While we all looked the other way

God made us all in any case
There’s no such thing as a master race
That kind of thinking is out of place
And must be discouraged when it’s in our face

I hear the echoes of the dead
From Auschwitz where people fed
Gas ovens whose secrets are said
To dot the path of human dread

Their liberators could not believe
The level of the suffering that they relieved
To them it was diabolically conceived
By a people who were evil or naïve
How could a human being do to another
The kinds of things that they discovered
Then think that it wouldn’t be uncovered
Ot that the evidence could be smothered

God made us all in any case
There’s no such thing as a master race
That kind of thinking is out of place
And must be discouraged when it’s in our face

I hear the echoes of the dead
From Auschwitz where people fed
Gas ovens whose secrets are said
To dot the path of human dread




























      
      
      
      
(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

When she bought the house
His mother was smiling
She could finally leave Queens
For the burbs of Long Island
She wanted to leave Queens
Because in Queens the kids were wildin’
But little did she know
So were her little darlins’
The fast paced life
She thought she left behind
Gave her a comfort level
But only in her mind
Call it accidental
Or simply by design
To the realities of life
She was partially blind

This is a cautionary tale
From which there’s no escape
Like the finish of a close race
It’s a tale of the tape

Lampin’ in the burbs
Things seemed to be fine
He smoked a little herb
Because he was inclined
According to most people
You couldn’t find
A nicer fella anywhere
Most of the time
There was another side to him
Ya need to know
Rumor has it
That he moved a lot of blow
But where he sold it at
Nobody seemed to know
It was in the kinds of places
His people didn’t go

This is a cautionary tale
From which there’s no escape
Like the finish of a close race
It’s a tale of the tape

Life’s a mystery
Because ya never know
How long you’re gonna be here
Or when you’re gonna go
So how come most of us
Act like that isn’t so
Living recklessly
Most of the time but - yo
There were those who thought they knew him
But they really didn’t
So many aspects of his personality
He kept well hidden
He did lots of things
That people thought he didn’t
And if they confronted him
He simply wouldn’t admit it

This is a cautionary tale
From which there’s no escape
Like the finish of a race
It’s a tale of the tape

Swing low sweet chariot
The Lord took him home
Only twenty-one
But sadly now he’s gone
Made a left turn
But that turn was wrong
Now he’s a memory
Talked about in song

The bigger they are
They say the harder they fall
It’s an understatement to relate
That he was tall
A giant of a man
About six-five in all
Tall enough to make
Everyone else look small
While in front of his mother’s house
Minding his own business
A gunman snuck behind him
According to the witness
Pumped two in his head
With certainty and quickness
Knocked him to the ground
Where he was still and listless

This is a cautionary tale
From which there’s no escape
Like the finish of a close race
It’s a tale of the tape

Swing low sweet chariot
The Lord took him home
Only twenty-one
But sadly now he’s gone
Made a left turn
But that turn was wrong
Now he’s a memory
Talked about in song

(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Daddy was an absentee
Momma was on crack
Although I love the both of them
They didn’t love me back
I grew up the hard way
Ya see that’s just a fact
So maybe that explains
Why I act the way I act
They say if you don’t learn from it
History just repeats
So I spent my adolescent years
Runnin’ in the streets
I was selling dope
Where the junkies came to meet
And I’ve seen homies gunned down
In front of my feet

Ya had to watch yo’ back
Even as a little kid
Depending on of course
The people you hung with
I was with a fast crowd
Guess it was obvious
They only worshiped money
And no one did they trust
I learned to be like ‘em too
And do the things I saw them do
Like being loyal to a crew
While hoping no one got to you
Especially someone that you knew
Oh you’d be paranoid too
If you went through
What I’ve been through

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to selling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

Maybe it was preordained
From the very start
Who knew that I’d turn
Drug dealing into an art
Or have an ozone layer size
Hole inside my heart
That can make it very difficult
For an EKG to chart
I had to make a living
So I don’t apologize
For certain aspects of my life
That you may well despise
What gives you the right
To judge me or criticize
Or determine where I go
Straight to hell or if I rise

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

I’m a victim of circumstance
A brother from the hood
Who decided to take a chance
Because I thought I should
Do whatever I had to do
Almost anybody would
Come up with an escape plan
For their greater good
You don’t have to agree with me
Or the methods that I chose
You don’t have my history
As everybody knows
See you didn’t have to struggle
From the depths from which I rose
And you don’t have to constantly
Make sure you’re on your toes

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

I’ve got lots of cash machines
To count the wages of my sins
I’m a man of means by all means
And I have lots of ends
I drive all around this town
In a chauffeured Mercedes Benz
Though you can view me if you like
Through a magnifying lens
And I’ve beat more court cases
Than Jackie Robinson
Has stolen bases
I’ve made mistakes but keep your places
That’s why pencils have erasers
And some folks take their drinks
With chasers

Why I act the way I act?
Is that a question or attack?
Why did I give up selling smack?
How come I turned to hustling crack?
Here’s a word to the wise
Don’t take the time to analyze
I have my reasons and besides
I’m not the kind who confides

(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved

By: Cedric McClester

Narcissus had a cartharsis
When playing on stage with his band
With all due respect he was a beautiful wreck
‘Cos you never knew where he would land
Sadly his affliction was ****** addiction
That eventually got out of hand
Which despite his gift caused a riff
With the members of his band

Call him Narcissus
Or even Cobain
The flip side of euphoria
Often is pain
Which sometimes can lead
To one’s self-distain
Or an act of suicide
If it must be explained

Narcissus could be capricious
You never knew what to expect
And he could engage people from a stage
By challenging their intellect
Making them take the plunge into grunge
‘Cos he was the architect
He’d play for hours on end
When he became circumspect

Call him Narcissus
Or even Cobain
The flip side of euphoria
Often is pain
Which sometimes can lead
To one’s self-distain
Or an act of suicide
If it must be explained

Despite having a child
And also a wife
He had a certain distain
For his own life
Success cut his insides
Just like a knife
To the point where he decided
To take his own life

Narcissus was self-pernicious
As a consequence of his deep depression
So he took a ride on the wild side
Which also should serve as a lesson
Don’t take what you have for granted
Your gifts might well be your blessin’
And that is the lesson my friend
In the end this poem is addressin’

Call him Narcissus
Or even Cobain
The flip side of euphoria
Often is pain
Which sometimes can lead
To one’s self-distain
Or an act of suicide
If it must be explained
























(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Though the evidence was none to slim
They still went ahead and indicted him
Double ****** his charge read
Death to him the jury said
Although the charges made no sense
He failed to mount a good defense
He might have died no one denied
On the evidence that they tried

Thirty years on death row
And then they let him go
The time passed by so slow
There was no evidence to show
That even though he did the time
He was involved in the crime
Let’s call it justice or a sign
Of how slow sometimes the wheels can grind

An innocent man might have died
On the evidence that they tried
Which is what they often forget
When they become an advocate
For metering out state inflicted death
Like no other alternative is left
Even though some are guilt free
Of their charges don’t cha see

Thirty years on death row
And then they let him go
The time passed by so slow
There was no evidence to show
That even though he did the time
His involvement in the crime
Let’s call it justice or a sign
Of how slow the wheels can grind

See he read in God We Trust
Before his life got turned to dust
He was cuffed and taken away
Straight to death row for a stay
That lasted for all of thirty years
Which confirmed all his fears

Justice delayed is justice denied
He thought about it while he was inside
And not for nothing nobody cared
That the forensics just wasn’t there
They refused to review the evidence
That might have proved his innocence
So he had to be patient and keep his cool
Until he could get the Supreme Court to rule

Thirty years on death row
And then they let him go
The time passed by so slow
There was no evidence to show
That even though he did the time
His involvement in the crime
Let’s call it justice or a sign
Of how slow the wheels can grind

Justice delayed is justice denied
He thought about it while he was inside
And not for nothing nobody cared
That the forensics just wasn’t there
They refused to review the evidence
That might have proved his innocence
So he had to be patient and keep his cool
Until he could get the Supreme Court to rule




(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Give me your tired
Your hungry your poor
But now-a-days
That don’t apply anymore
When it comes to
Illegal immigrants
Cos some contend
They’re here at our expense

Are they guest workers
Or just neo-slaves
Underpaid
So big business saves
And if you think
They’re gonna reinvest
Then I suggest
You take another guess

Is it reform
Or really amnesty
It’s a question
That hasn’t been answered (ya see)
And it’s hard to say
If it will ever be
Given its nature
And its history

Are they guest workers
Or just neo-slaves
Underpaid
So big business saves
And if you think
They’re gonna reinvest
Then I suggest
You take another guess

Now the debate
Is heating up
The law demands
We give ‘em up
But who’s gonna turn in
Their own family
I know I wouldn’t
But that’s just me

Are they guest workers
Or just neo-slaves
Underpaid
So big business saves
And if you think
They’re gonna reinvest
Then I suggest
You take another guess

I really don’t think
We have sumthin to fear
There’s already millions
Of immigrants here
Doin the jobs
No one else wants to do
They’re being exploited
And we are too

Now the debate
Is heating up
The law demands
We give ‘em up
But who’s gonna turn in
Their own family
I know I wouldn’t
But that’s just me

Are they guest workers
Or just neo-slaves
Underpaid
So big business saves
And if you think
They’re gonna reinvest
Then I suggest
You take another guess


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

When it comes to six-month-old baby Jim
Yo’ *** is clearly out on a limb
You are the one who fathered him
So you better be runnin to an ATM
What the hell did you expect
Having unprotected ***
It’s unjustified under any pretexts
But ******* are not intellects
Your DNA tells the tale
The moment that you slip or fail
To pay support you’ll go to jail
And you cannot afford the bail
So I’d pay up if I were you
The things you said were not true
If she’s a ** then what are you
Cos you went ******* riding too

Where does he find ‘em (I don’t know)
The guests seen on the Maury Show
When it comes to ... (oh **** here we go)
You are the father (***** don’t you know?)

The girl comes on and says she’s sure
But he calls her a **** and *****
Because they did it on the floor
And she has slept with countless more
Then she says Maury look at that baby
There’s no ifs, ands, buts or maybes
That’s his child (the one he gave me)
I can’t believe he’s gone and played me
Suspense is building on the set
The test results aren’t in yet
But he’s prepared to make a bet
And obviously she’s upset
Once the answer has been found
They both start jumpin up and down
Then she don’t wanna stick around
Her reputation’s in the ground

Where does he find ‘em (I don’t know)
The guests seen on the Maury Show
When it comes to ... (oh **** here we go)
You are the father (***** don’t you know?)

You’d think she’d be embarrassed, yo
But she’ll be back show after show
Claiming she just wants to know
Who’s her baby’s daddy – Oh!

Changing partner like a necklace
How can people be that reckless
She’s so gangsta she reflects this
I’ll be ****** (she’s got a checklist)
Scratchin off names (one by one)
She’s on page two and still not done
Guess you could say she’s had her fun
But she wasn’t the only one
Given all the STDs
That are out there (if you please)
They should be hogtied and seized
Or forced to bow down on their knees
I bet straight *** was not enough
They’ve probably done some other stuff
See tongue disease can be real rough

Where does he find ‘em (I don’t know)
The guests seen on the Maury Show
When it comes to ... (oh **** here we go)
You are the father (***** don’t you know?)

Look at those who’ve come and went
Though that wasn’t their intent
Most of ‘em can’t catch a hint
See they’re beyond embarrassment
All because they shook their fatties
At all of those potential daddies
None of whom wore Jimmy hatties
Now those mommas goin batty
Watch and pray that it’s not you
None of ‘em have a clue
Wouldn’t you have thought they knew
Who they’re giving their stuff to
But that would be too **** easy
Look at ‘em they sure look greasy
Some of ‘em are down right ******
And none of ‘em are built to please see

You’d think she’d be embarrassed, yo
But she’ll be back show after show
Claiming she just wants to know
Who’s her baby’s daddy – Oh!

Where does he find ‘em (I don’t know)
The guests seen on the Maury Show
When it comes to ... (oh **** here we go)
You are the father (***** don’t you know?)

When it comes to six-month-old baby Jim
Yo’ *** is clearly out on a limb
You are the one who fathered him
So you better be runnin to an ATM
What the hell did you expect
Having unprotected ***
It’s unjustified under any pretexts
But ******* are not intellects
Your DNA tells the tale
The moment that you slip or fail
To pay support you’ll go to jail
And you cannot afford the bail
So I’d pay up if I were you
The things you said were not true
If she’s a ** then what are you
Cos you went ******* riding too


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.   All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

They wanna know
Am I obsessed
Perhaps I am
Just as they suggest
But lies eventually
Get undressed
Whether denied
Or confessed
And we’ve been lied to
Convincingly
And that’s the problem
Don’t cha see
Cos I refuse
To let it be
One day I know
We’ll all be free

They wanna know
Why I’m so mad
As if bein angry
Is so bad
The fact they’re not
To me is sad
Guess they don’t know
When they’ve been had
They wanna wave
The red white and blue
But would they still
If they knew
The true nature of the beast
And why were really
In the Middle East
So that the vultures get to feast

They wanna know
Why I write
About this subject
Day and night
But I’m just tryin
To shed some light
On how and why
We’re in this fight
And someone has to speak
Truth to power
So I seized the moment
And the hour
I’ll not let them
Make me cower
The situation
Is too dower

They wanna know
Why I feel
So compelled
To keep it real
Snitching don’t have
Much appeal
But someone has to
Tell the deal
The 9-11 sentiment
Ain’t the reason
That we went
It’s the oil
Get the hint
That’s the truth
Of why we went

They wanna know
But then they don’t
Some will believe
While others won’t
But I still try
To raise the roof
And I don’t talk
Without the proof
Now he won’t tell ya
That he goofed
He should have stayed
On the Vermouth
Maybe then
He’d be more mellow
Instead he’s just
A cocky fellow

They wanna know
But I’m not tellin
That George Dubya
Must be jellin
Y’all know
That the man’s a felon
And I don’t believe
You’re askin me
The nature of his felony
You have eyes
Use them to see
Yo we’re at war
And don’t have to be
And I guess it's clear enough to see
That he is not the remedy






(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You call ‘em *******,
Sissys, homos
Like it’s the thing to do
But what has any of that
Got to do with you
Why do you feel threatened
By their lifestyle
And what gives you the right
To attack ‘em anyhow

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

You see a gay guy
And you get so upset
Whether or not
He's approached you yet
Now here’s the question
That you ought to ask yourself
What’s inside your closet
Hidden on the shelf

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

See I’m not advocatin'
Either pro or con
But I believe
Discrimination truly is dead wrong
No one should be attacked
Because of who they are
That’s takin one’s hatred
A giant step too far

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

Live and let live
Is my philosophy
All I ask of anyone
Is to let me be
In return I’ll treat ‘em
With utmost respect
Never mind emotion
I’ll use intellect

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story

See I’m not advocatin'
Either pro or con
But I believe
Discrimination truly is dead wrong
No one should be attacked
Because of who they are
That’s takin one’s hatred
A step too far

You call ‘em *******
Though it’s derogatory
Now you got me wonderin
What the hell’s your story



(c) Copyright, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Call it a reflection
On how I feel for you
I don’t wear protection
You know how I do
Foolish as that may be
When I’m deep inside
I don’t wanna pull out
And seldom have I tried

Ya see the consequences
Rarely come to mind
And maybe that explains
Why you’ll also find
I don’t think I’m ready
For instant fatherhood
Even though I say I am
I question if I should

When you bring me to the point
My face looks like I’m prayin
Don’t hold me responsible
For the things that I be sayin
In the heat of the moment
I might ask you to have my baby
But if that were to happen
I’d want you to save me

That says more about me
Than it does about you
But if you had a baby
I don’t know what I'd do
I don’t think I’m ready
For that responsibility
And if that were to happen
I don’t know what you would see

When you bring me to the point
My face looks like I’m prayin
Don’t hold me responsible
For the things that I be sayin
In the heat of the moment
I might ask you to have my baby
But if that were to happen
I’d want you to save me

Ya see the consequences
Rarely come to mind
And maybe that explains
Why you’ll also find
I don’t think I’m ready
For instant fatherhood
Even though I say I am
I question if I should



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

The ruling oligarchy
Says it’s middle-class malarkey
To suggest they differ starkly
When it comes to the poor
Whom the rich try to ignore
Cos the haves now want more
Than they ever did before

The strong vanquish the weak
As the oil prices tweak
To the stratosphere they seek
And the profits are obscene
As they pick our pockets clean
That’s why most of us are hurtin
Not the case with Haliburton

Bush is a disgrace
But he does support his base
They’re the rich – in any case
We have challenges to face
And we are gettin queasier
Cos it’s not getting easier

Now we hear
The Green House gases
Threatens all our *****
But the legislation passes
That deregulates the gases
Which pollutes the atmosphere
That’s why global warming’s here

Bush is a disgrace
But he does support his base
They’re the rich – in any case
We have challenges to face
And we are gettin queasier
Cos it’s not getting easier

The ruling oligarchy
Says it’s middle-class malarkey
To suggest they differ starkly
When it comes to the poor
Whom the rich try to ignore
Cos the haves now want more
Than they ever did before


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Where’s this all heading
Let’s check the prophecy
Some say Armageddon
And while that may be
If it’s the Rapture
That they’re waiting for
Maybe that explains
Why they’re so hell bent on war

Brothers and sisters
I’m talkin to you
Do on to others
As you would have them do
You may not know this
But it’s very true
All that you put out there
Will come back to you

Jesus is coming
Can you say amen
See the problem is
No one knows just when
Careful what you wish for
Cos it just might come true
Wouldn’t it be something
If the joke is on you

Brothers and sisters
I’m talkin to you
Do on to others
As you would have them do
You may not know this
But it’s very true
All that you put out there
Will come back to you

People are dying
From the lack of peace
They’d like to be free
But the fighting won’t cease
And there’s devastation
Everywhere you look
Check out Revelations
It's in the book

Brothers and sisters
I’m talkin to you
Do on to others
As you would have them do
You may not know this
But it’s very true
All that you put out there
Will come back to you



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

You went undercover
Only to discover
That your big brother
Was watching you
There’s no escaping
Cos he was taping
Now you don’t know
What to do

You’re reaction
To this distraction
Has you packing
But they’ll be trackin
Where you are
Use your cell and they can tell
Whether you’re walkin
Or in a car

Nineteen eight-four
Came inside the door
And Orwell had it right
Like a doting mother
Your big brother
Is clockin you day and night

You feel trapped
Cos your phone is tapped
And your TV’s watchin you
The places you shop
At every store you stop
Has information too
The time and date
What you bought and ate

Nineteen eight-four
Is inside the door
And Orwell had it right
Like a doting mother
Your big brother
Is clockin you day and night

You feel trapped
Cos your phone is tapped
And your TV’s watchin you
The places you shop
At every store you stop
Has information too
The time and date
What you bought and ate

Nineteen eight-four
Is inside the door
And Orwell had it right
Like a doting mother
Your big brother
Is clockin you day and night

You’re reaction
To this distraction
Has you packing
But they’ll be trackin
Where you are
Use your cell and they can tell
Whether you’re walkin
Or in a car

Nineteen eight-four
Is inside the door
And Orwell had it right
Like a doting mother
Your big brother
Is clockin you day and night



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Your call was recorded
And it can be retrieved
The level of technology
Is not to be believed
Forget about your privacy
Cos it does not exist
The names of every one of us
Is somewhere on a list

Your call was recorded
Someone’s listenin in
Now you can choose to ignore this fact
And hope that it will end

You live in America
And you think that you’re free
While that may once have been the case
That’s ancient history
Those days are long gone
They have disappeared
Now each of us are suspect
Until we become cleared

Your call was recorded
Someone’s listenin in
Now you can choose to ignore this fact
And hope that it will end

Your call was recorded
But it wasn’t tapped
It’s somewhere on a satellite
Where they have it trapped
And it can be retrieved
Anytime they choose
You call this a revelation
But I call it old news

Your call was recorded
Someone’s listenin in
Now you can choose to ignore this fact
And hope that it will end

Your call was recorded
It also has been logged
You can file your complaint
On any liberal blog
The calls have been dissected
And also analyzed
It’s high time you stop sleepin
And open up your eyes

Your call was recorded
Someone’s listenin in
Now you can choose to ignore this fact
And hope that it will end

Your call was recorded
But it wasn’t tapped
It’s somewhere on a satellite
Where they have it trapped
And it can be retrieved
Anytime they choose
You call this a revelation
But I call it old news

Your call was recorded
Someone’s listenin in
Now you can choose to ignore this fact
And hope that it will end



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

A baby riding in a car
On the Easter holiday
Lost his life just that quick
Cos a bullet went astray
A young girl walkin with some friends
Soon to graduate
Will not now nor will she ever
A bullet sealed her fate
What the hell is goin on
Can you give me an answer
Why do bullets **** more of us
Than heart attacks or cancer
I’ve been tryin to understand
Listener what you say
Could it be something (that was planted)
In our DNA

The ravages of the savages
Can be felt on the streets
Where innocent bystanders
Often catch the heat
From those bullet-riddled operas
That all too frequently repeat

The examples are there
For us to find
Where should I begin
Pick up any newspaper
The list just doesn’t end
Of people who’ve been slain (unnecessarily)
Must we be subjected
To the violence that we see
We too are entitled
To the pursuit of happiness
So why is it that we’re content
To settle for much less
Haven’t we buried enough
Daughters and also sons
For us to be sick and tired
Of the violence and the guns

The ravages of the savages
Can be felt on the streets
Where innocent bystanders
Often catch the heat
From those bullet-riddled operas
That all too frequently repeat

Call it an indictment
If that’s how you choose to view it
But nine times out of ten
Who are the ones that do it
In our own communities
Self-hatred runs real deep
And so we **** each other
As if walkin in our sleep
If we are the problem
Then we can be the cure
And if we put a stop to this
It won’t happen anymore
How many sad funerals
Must each of us attend
Of a beloved relative
Or a real close friend

The ravages of the savages
Can be felt on the streets
Where innocent bystanders
Often catch the heat
From those bullet-riddled operas
That all too frequently repeat

Most of us will concede
It doesn’t make no sense
What will it take for us to develop
Zero tolerance

The ravages of the savages
Can be felt on the streets
Where innocent bystanders
Often catch the heat
From those bullet-riddled operas
That all too frequently repeat

They have no right to take away
What they can’t give back
Human life should be respected
As a matter of fact
This given is ignored
By the savages in our mist
Who’d rather pull out a gun
Than fight you with their fists
Clearly they are cowards
And it’s obvious
That none of them are marksmen
Judging by how frequently they miss
Why should we be sympathetic
Though they’ll make the claim
That it was just an accident
Because they ******* aim

Most of us will concede
It doesn’t make no sense
What will it take for us to develop
Zero tolerance

The ravages of the savages
Can be felt on the streets
Where innocent bystanders
Often catch the heat
From those bullet-riddled operas
That all too frequently repeat



(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Democracy or theocracy
The choice is yours
What it’s gonna be
Take another look
At Lady Liberty
And ask yourself this question
Do you like bein free

There’s no doubt that
Christians have good news
But we here in America
Have the right to choose
Some may refuse to bow
Or to acquiesce
But they’re still citizens
None the less

Democracy or theocracy
The choice is yours
What it’s gonna be
Take another look
At Lady Liberty
And ask yourself this question
Do you like bein free

See we’re all equal
In God’s sight
He didn’t designate
The religious right
To rule over
All the rest of us
So in Him believers
Oughta place their trust

Still some out there
Are bound to insist
That’s fine for believers
But the atheist
Should also have the right
To not believe
So their pursuit of happiness
Can be achieved

Democracy or theocracy
The choice is yours
What it’s gonna be
Take another look
At Lady Liberty
And ask yourself this question
Do you like bein free

She prays in a church
And he a synagogue
But even the mosque
Is still the House of God
More than one road
Leads to Rome
And more than one religion
Claims heaven home

Still some out there
Are bound to insist
That’s fine for believers
But the atheist
Should also have the right
To not believe
So their pursuit of happiness
Can be achieved

Democracy or theocracy
The choice is yours
What it’s gonna be
Take another look
At Lady Liberty
And ask yourself this question
Do you like bein free


(c) Copyright 2015. Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved/

By: Cedric McClester

Your ***** - my ***** - our *****’s gone
Over 5000 people were there to morn
So when I hear you callin him I get real torn
And emotionally become a bit forlorn
Your ***** – my ***** –our *****’s dead
What’s it gonna take to get that through your head
Some blame it on the kinda life he led
But I blame it on all y’all instead
Your ***** – my ***** everywhere I go
Our *****’s dead - act like you know
It’s become a sport or some kinda game
To casually evoke his name in vain
Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** is
Turning in the grave site where he lives
All the while wonderin what the hell gives
And I ain’t jiving you I’m talkin square biz

Your ***** – my ***** – our *****’s gone
Out of pain and struggle our ***** was born
The object of ridicule and also scorn
Now the mention of his name only brings a yawn

Your ***** – my ***** – our *****’s at rest
After all he’s been through he deserved no less
But y’all like to drop his name nevertheless
No respect for the dead if I was to guess
Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** died
But y’all still call him like he was alive
If the truth be told then you would confide
Nothin I said can be denied
Your ***** – my *****- our ***** too
Carried himself the way most ****** do
Pants fallin down draggin at his shoe
Actin as if he had a missin *****
Your ***** – my *****- our ***** was
Characterized by what a ***** does
Everywhere he goes he creates a buzz

Your ***** – my ***** – our *****’s gone
Out of pain and struggle our ***** was born
The object of ridicule and also scorn
Now the mention of his name only brings a yawn

Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** see
Met with a horrible tragedy
So he’s not here he ceases to be
Anything other than a memory
Free at last free at last at last he’s free
Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** gave
Everything he had when he was enslaved
Finally at rest in a six foot grave
And all we’re left with is his name to save
Your ***** – my ***** - our *****’s through
But then again I think somehow you knew
To a *****’s code the ***** was true
Now letting him go is the thing to do
Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** left
But none of y’all act as if you are bereft

Your ***** – my ***** – our *****’s gone
Out of pain and struggle our ***** was born
The object of ridicule and also scorn
Now the mention of his name only brings a yawn

Your ***** - my ***** - our *****’s gone
Over 5000 people were there to morn
So when I hear you callin him I get real torn
And emotionally become a bit forlorn
Your ***** – my ***** –our *****’s dead
What’s it gonna take to get that through your head
Some blame it on the kinda life he led
But I blame it on all y’all instead
Your ***** – my ***** everywhere I go
Our *****’s dead - act like you know
It’s become a sport or some kinda game
To casually evoke his name in vain
Your ***** – my ***** – our ***** is
Turning in the grave site where he lives
All the while wonderin what the hell gives
And I ain’t jiving you I’m talkin square biz

Your ***** – my ***** – our *****’s gone
Out of pain and struggle our ***** was born
The object of ridicule and also scorn
Now the mention of his name only brings a yawn


(c) Copyright 2015. Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

A ***** lookin for respect
Could pull out a Nine or Tec
At a time you least expect
And you might have to hit the deck
Cuz when the bullets start to fly
Those who don’t just might die
And you don’t wanna go - okay
Like ****** do around the way – cuz

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

Keep one eye open when you sleep
Cuz in the hood life is cheap
So watch the company you keep
Your main man might be a creep
Don’t let ‘em get the drop on you
The way some ****** like to do
They’ll roll up on you with a crew
And run a clip off into you

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

****** don’t respect themselves
Never mind someone else
That’s why they keep their gats and shells
And you know what that often spells
Cuz ****** are up to no good
There’s gun smoke in the neighborhood
And it’s high time they realize
That it’s themselve who they despise – cuz

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

Did you ever stop to think
****** could become extinct
In the time it takes to blink
Like some kind of missin link
Unless we suddenly stop killin
The prophesy will keep fulfillin
Even though the thought is chillin
Long as the blood just keep on spillin – cuz

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

Although it’s often said in play
And despite what some folks say
The use of ***** ain’t okay
Though you might hear it everyday
My usage of it in this joint
Is for effect to prove a point
It’s not to glorify the term
But will you ****** ever learn – that

Any ***** can shoot a *****
What’s it take to pull a trigger
How much pressure do ya figure
Is required to dead a *****
Problem is you’re killin you
When you pull the trigger to
Shoot someone who looks like you
But ain’t that what you ****** do

Although it’s often said in play
And despite what some folks say
The use of ***** ain’t okay
Though you might hear it everyday
My usage of it in this joint
Is for effect to prove a point
It’s not to glorify the term
But will you ****** ever learn



(c) Copyright 2015.  Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Holy Mother Mary
What is goin' on
We still celebrate
The day your son was born
But now they’re tellin us
That we must worship you
Can you tell me please
While I’m on my knees
What am I to do

Holy Mother Mary
Blessed is the womb
That bore your holy son
But now must we assume
That you’re the holy one
Prophesized to come
Can you tell me please
While I’m on my knees
What am I to do

Holy Mother Mary
Please enlighten me
I don’t understand
I’m a Jesus fan
How can this all be
Should I worship thee

Holy Mother Mary
Tell me what da deal
To me you’re really real
But even so I feel
To change you overnight
Just wouldn’t be right
Can you tell me please
While I’m on my knees
What am I to do

Holy Mother Mary
Please enlighten me
I don’t understand
I’m a Jesus fan
How can this all be
Should I worship thee

Holy Mother Mary
What is goin' on
We still celebrate
The day your son was born
But now they’re tellin us
That we must worship you
Can you tell me please
While I’m on my knees
What am I to do

Holy Mother Mary
Blessed is the womb
That bore your holy son
But now must we assume
That you’re the holy one
Prophesized to come
Can you tell me please
While I’m on my knees
What am I to do


(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Heaven knows
We’re about more than cash clothes and hos
But you’d never know that I suppose
From those negative images the media shows
Or by looking at the latest rap videos
With every other woman in ‘em over exposed
You’d never know that’s not the way it goes

If you don’t mind I’d like to keep it real
By telling you exactly how I feel
Cos it’s high time that you heard the deal
You’re being exploited for your *** appeal
They got you showin your body to everyone
Especially the parts that don’t get no sun
And you’re telling yourself you’re just having fun
It’s only gonna serve to get you done
Think you’re gonna get rich (someone lied)
All you’re gonna be is objectified
And when they get done (cast aside)
Or told there’s a pole that you can ride
Is that what you really want (you decide)
Don’t cha know that’s not what life’s about
By now I woulda thought you had figured it out

Cos heaven knows
We’re about more than cash clothes and hos
But you’d never know that I suppose
From those negative images the media shows
Or by looking at the latest rap videos
With every other woman in ‘em over exposed
You’d never know that’s not the way it goes

Fifty thousand hanging around your neck
Over-drafted at the bank can’t write a check
And once they’ve recouped here’s what to expect
You’ll be lucky to hold on to your drop top Lex
You’re used to livin like the rich and famous
Now you’re walkin around dazed and aimless
Former fans approaching askin what your name is
And the worst thing about it what the actual shame is
Got you thinking that’s the way life’s supposed to be
And you’re tryin to go to bed with every ** you see
You can’t separate what’s real from fantasy
And you’re wonderin how you caught that STD
It’s high time you settled back down to earth
And analyzed what the hell all of it’s worth
A string of baby’s mamas who have given birth
Will only make you dig deeper inside you purse

Heaven knows
We’re about more than cash clothes and hos
But you’d never know that I suppose
From those negative images the media shows
Or by looking at the latest rap videos
With every other woman in ‘em over exposed
You’d never know that’s not the way it goes

Right about now you should get the picture
Success came along and when it bit cha
It changed sumthin in ya – that you won’t admit to
Like fallin for the things that are bound to get cha
The parties the girls who never say no
A prescription for disaster now you’re doin blow
And goin to places that you shouldn’t go
Bet you didn’t think you could stoop that low
But there you are now and nevertheless
None of those things bring you happiness
Money ain’t the answer but you’d never guess
When you spent all of that time reaching for success
Did the thought occur to you it might be a test
From the Man Up Above (The One Who Knows You Best)
Now you’re miserable but you won’t confess
Though everyone can see that you’re a ****** mess

Heaven knows
We’re about more than cash clothes and hos
But you’d never know that I suppose
From those negative images the media shows
Or by looking at the latest rap videos
With every other woman in ‘em over exposed
You’d never know that’s not the way it goes

So now you’re on top but what you go and do
Sumthin real stupid now look at you
Bein perp walked like you’re in a zoo
See the man had a plan now he’s come for you
So you shake you’re head ain’t that a *****
Why’s it always the lawyers who come out rich
You never would have guessed that your man’s a snitch
But he cut a deal so the feds scratched his itch
Now your career’s buckwheats (going down the drain)
I can imagine the thoughts goin through your brain
Now you’re lookin for God to come and explain
And I sympathies bro cos I feel your pain
Try though you may in an attempt to please us
Maybe what you need is to get close to Jesus
What’s God is God’s and what’s Caesar’s Caesar’s
Sometimes we’re given things as a way to tease us

Heaven knows
We’re about more than cash clothes and hos
But you’d never know that I suppose
From those negative images the media shows
Or by looking at the latest rap videos
With every other woman in ‘em over exposed
You’d never know that’s not the way it goes

(c) Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

Bang bang
***** die slow
There’s more to hip hop
Than that ya know
It’s more than the bling
Some ****** show
More than the cribs
The cars or the dough
The culture’s diverse
And you need to know
It’s more than the **** shakin
You’ll always see
On certain shows
On the cable TV
It’s more than the dissin
The fights and braggin rights

Bang bang
***** die slow
I’m only sayin
What ya already know

Bang bang
***** die slow
We’re checkin for content
As well as for flow
You’re pimpin the game
And the homies know
You’re talkin ‘bout places
That you’ll never go
Talkin ‘bout crimes
You never committed
And it’s about time
To fess-up and admit it
Here is the deal
You need to yield
Cos it’s gettin too real
In the field

Bang bang
***** die slow
I’m only sayin
What ya already know

Bang bang
***** die slow
Ya namean
Let me give ya the low
Some name themselves
After I-talian criminals
Sending public messages
That attacks the subliminal
Then start complainin
Once they get popped
And the uninformed
Blame it on hip hop
And it’s not fair
That hip hop takes the blame
For some of you out there
That I could name

Bang bang
***** die slow
I’m only sayin
What ya already know

Bang bang
***** die slow
It’s about to be a rap
For the rap game (yo)
Rap is spiralin further
Out of control
And the government now
Sees itself in the role
Of overseer or regulator
Ya knew it would happen
Sooner or later
If you go on trial
You won’t be around
That’s their way of keepin
The Black man down
All you have to do is jus look around

Bang bang
***** die slow
I’m only sayin
What ya already know

Bang bang
***** die slow
All it takes for you to be
Good to go
Is a mouth full of platinum
And a video **
There’s more to life
Than that you know
Don’t let me be the one
To say I told you so
Cos the seeds you’re plantin
Are kinda rough to ***
But you’re convinced
That you are it
And a ****** like me
Can’t tell you ****

Bang bang
***** die slow
I’m only sayin
What ya already know

Bang bang
***** die slow
There’s more to hip hop
Than that ya know
It’s more than the bling
Some ****** show
More than the cribs
The cars or the dough
The culture’s diverse
And you need to know
It’s more than the **** shakin
You’ll always see
On certain shows
On the cable TV
It’s more than the dissin
The fights and braggin rights


(c) Copyright, 2015 Cedric McClester.  All rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
Which means - she’s beyond contempt
Someone to be loathed
An anomaly?
Well if you’re askin me
She’s what every one of ‘em
Pretends to be
A centrist
Who might go either way
On any issue
On any given day
She likes to calls it
A winning strategy
But it’s still selling out
As far as I can see

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
But with the right pedigree
As everybody knows
She’s very bright
That’s obvious - it shows
Though you’ll find her
Wherever the wind blows
I often wonder
Who she really is
Behind the mask
I’m talkin ‘bout square biz
It’s hard to tell
With the naked eye
How she really feels
Though some of us do try

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
Her popularity
Is always in the throes
We love her one-minute
Then hate her the next
She brings out feelings
That are that complex
She’s very hard
For us to get to know
How much is real
And how much is for show
That’s the question
On many people’s minds
What’s goin on
Behind those closed blinds

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
Who’ll run for president
One day I suppose
She’s very suited
For the life she chose
A prodigy
Who won't be unopposed
There’s so much baggage
In her sordid past
The kind of thing
That usually tends to last
She’ll ascend
But then she’ll drop so fast
Say what you will
The dye’s already cast

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
Who has a war chest
That grows and grows and grows
She’s courted equally
By the rich and poor
With the kind of access
That many would die for
But still she’s baffling
To say the very least
It’s hard to tell
The nature of the beast
And to add insult
Along with injury
Is we don’t know
How she's gonna be

She’s a Republican
In Democratic clothes
Who lost my vote
But that’s just how it goes
When one has trouble
Being who they are
It doesn’t matter
That they’re a rising star
I can’t support her
Under any circumstance
It would be foolish
To even take that chance
Though I do like her
I have to admit
I’ll vote against her
Or maybe I’ll just sit

© Copyright 2015, Cedric McClester - all rights reserved.

By: Cedric McClester

This is for my ******
Who might need some schoolin'
With their different street names
Who y’all foolin'
It’s high time
That you peep it
Your government names
Ain’t no secret
What’s the point of having one anyway
Who you think invented (AKA)
They can capture you
From a satellite
Doin it under the covers
In the dead of night
Identifyin who is no mystery
They’ve got files on you full of history

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

There’s nothin that you’re doin
That they don’t know
Besides they’ve even got you
On video
And snitches that’ll tell ‘em
All they need to know
So if you ain’t aware
Then you must be slow
There are fewer secrets
Out on the street
Then you’re likely to find cops
Walkin' a beat
If it becomes necessary
I’ll repeat
Must I still hip you (to the game)
They already know your government name

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

****** always tryin to be
So secretive
Do ya really think
They don’t know where you live
Even what you carry
A gat or shiv
See they also know
What you’re about
And who receives the packages
That you give out
And just in case you still have any doubt
They’ll put a tail on you
Via the usual route
So don’t go thinkin
Cos they call you *****
Your government name is hard for them to figure

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

See if it takes me spittin
A hot sixteen
For y’all to understand
Exactly what I mean
I’m prepared to do it
Cos I’m very keen
On avoidin all the *******
That I’ve seen
I know you have identities
You’d like to protect
And I’m not comin at cha
With disrespect
But if you think a street name
If some kinda shield
It’s high time that the truth
Of the matter be reveiled

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

If ya used a celly
Or a land-line phone
Then you need to know
That you weren’t alone
And if you’ve ever e-mailed
Anyone
Forgiddaboutit
Cos tha damage is already done
Today they have cameras (everywhere)
There’s eyes (up in the skies)
That you need to fear
Zeroed in on you (with a constant stare)
So don’t start pointin figures
Or start placin blame
Because the government
Always knew your name

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

I call ya by the names
That your mama gave ya
You’re crazy if ya think
That’s how popo made ya
Cos they already knew
Who you were and (where you hanged)
They even knew the (names and numbers)
Of the chicks you banged
So you may think what you’re doin
Is really on the low
But that only goes to show
You don’t really know
I guess that’s why people say
Ignorance is bliss
Though that applies to a lot of things
It certainly does to this

Yeah I hear you
But just the same
I prefer you don’t call me
By my government name

This is for my ******
Who might need some schoolin'
With their different street names
Who y’all foolin
It’s high time
That you peep it
Your government names
Ain’t no secret
What’s the point of having one anyway
Who you think invented (AKA)
They can capture you
From a satellite
Doin it under the covers
In the dead of night
Identifyin who is no mystery
They’ve got files on you full of history