I'm Going to write my lines; I'm going to make my marks

 It's a great pleasure to remember how much I am a natural freestyler!  And not even with just rapping, but with art, poetry, etc.  I do go back and edit, depending on the project, but letting it flow out as a creative act is one of the best things I can do.  It is so helpful to my heart and mind.  I know these days, there is a critic behind every corner.  Someone who will hate behind every corner.  But I have realized, my lines are my lines, my marks are my marks, and I am not ashamed of them.  Comparatively speaking, there are other creative poets and artists who resonate way better with their community and the world than I do, but I do not let that stop me from flowing on.  I did for awhile, but then I realized either someone cares or they do not--either someone is paying attention or they are not.  I am not some major celeb. I am not a world-wide artist.  I come from a small town, lived and worked in Asheville for a while, and now back in a small town to work and care for my mother as she deals with her health issues.  No, I didn't go down the path I thought I would, but I never lost my creativity.  And being creative about my life is what has helped me get through, not being locked into some other kind of meaning about who I am, what I am doing, etc.  Nope.  I respect it, but no.  I will stand before God alone, just like you, and I want to get all of this out of me along the way, to use the gifts and talents I've been blessed with that not only help me enjoy life, but may help someone else in a small way.  It may not stop the unfair treatment of people of color globally.  It may not stop corruption, the mafia, or make haters love me, but it is the best feeling to take everything going on and funnel it through a creative channel.  Anyway, here's a poem:

*Can't afford to always pay

Can't afford to give my shirt today