Without a song, each day would be a century.
-Mahalia Jackson
Do you believe in always,the wind
said to the rain
I am too busy with
my flowers to believe,the rain answered
(from "you said Is" by ee cummings)
I have walked through many lives,
some of them my own,
and I am not who I was,
though some principle of being
abides, from which I struggle
not to stray.
(from "The Layers" by stanley kunitz)
I never asked for nothin I don't demand of myself
Honesty, loyalty, friends and then wealth
Death before dishonor and I tell you what else
I tighten my belt 'fore I beg for help
Foolish pride is what held me together through the years
I wasn't felt which is why I ain't never played myself
I just play the hand I'm dealt, I can't say I've never knelt
before God and asked for better cards at times to no avail
But I never sat back feelin sorry for myself
If you don't give me heaven I'll raise hell
'Til it's heaven
-JAY-Z
