Lyrical Essences: Words & Feelings: SoulJah Bwoy

Lyrical Essences: Words & Feelings: SoulJah Bwoy

Don’t

Don’t ask me how I am,

I’ll just say I’m fine.

Despite the painful feelings

And the bottled up tears,

I’ll play it off,

Say I’m just great

And you yourself?

Don’t inquire after my wellbeing.

Don’t go to my family and ask them

How I’m doing.

They’ll tell you just the same.

They’ll tell you I’m good.

Do I look dumb?

Hell, I don’t tell them everything.

Don’t come round my house

Just because,

Thinking to pass the time of day,

I’m alright without your company.

In fact, I quite enjoy my own.

And I’d prefer the sound of silence

To incessant, pointless talk.

Don’t mistake my smile for simple mindedness.

I’m on to you and your games.

You check up

And feign concern

Just to find out my doings

So you can share them

With your pose down the road

And make like you’re in the know.

Don’t think I need a sitter,

Don’t assume that my sitting

In a quite corner

Means I’m sad.

Keep to your side.

Mind your friends,

Your family,

Your dog,

And let me be.

See I see just where you’re going

With your gift basket

Laden with tempting goodies.

I know your mind

You sly old crocodile.

Keep your grinning comradery

Cause you ain’t no friend of mine.

So, thank you for your offer,

Very generous and ever so kind;

But whatever you’re selling

I ain’t buying.

Better luck next time.

OK

Tea for two ?
No thank you.

I’m dining alone.

Tickets to the theatre please,

Party of one.

I’m a lone ranger,

A solo flyer,

Living quite contentedly

In the company of three:

I, myself and me.

Sad,

Some may call a life such as this;

Pathetic,

Others may scoff.

My smile some may interpret

As a front,

False bravado,

The smoke and mirror tricks

Of a two bit parlour show.

That’s ok.

It isn’t given to everyone

To understand such choices.

And that’s alright too.

So if you see me

By my lonesome,

Don’t feel sorry.

Don’t waste precious energy

In worry over me.

I’m ok really.

My smile,

My stride,

My head held high,

Are all tokens of my serenity.

Testimony to the Light of the Truth

I walk in.

No more pretending

Or self deception here.

No matter what you think you see

When you look at me.

I am free.

SoulJah Bwoy

These are the innards;
The deepening;
The dark and light;
The dusty, musty, crusty
Ignored-til-forgotten corners
of the Soul Jah gave
this warrior boy.

Born in a protected thicket;
Sheltered from the battle
raging in surrounding fields;
Transplanted in a quiet clearing-
A stone's throw away
from the grenades and bombs
minefields
gnawing swiss cheese holes
in the living earth around
the boy with the Soul Jah gave.

The sheltering bubble
reflects the glow of violent fires
whose penetrating heat
threads sweaty crystal beads
on the surface skin of
this boy fighter Soul for Jah.

Armed for the war,
Stubborn fear nibbling
at the marrow of the Soul Jah made.
Distracted from the mission
by shiny worthless fossils
whose age gives them the allure of treasure-
Cunning, crafty, artful dodger;
Aged vice and snare
whispering,luring;
Sights set, cocked and aimed
at the Soul Jah bwoy.

Born from the wisdom of ancestry;
Nurtured by a mother Soul of Jah;
Lying covered under arms everlasting;
Transported on eagle wings;
Facing storms on mountain tops;
Resting in the valleys;
Oasised at living springs;
Camouflaged by love,
being everything and nothing-
Fierce and tender,
Shaded by day,
Hidden by night-
Growing from the seedling Soul Jah sowed,
Into the strength
Of the Soul Jah meant to become
the Warrior Man.