Spade

CATEGORY

life

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So

After all these years this is still me

Never mind all those spoken about strides

If it walks like a duck, quacks like one

What about wearing that dreadfully fitting shoe?

Never mind the way I came up aces in my debut

A spade is a spade regardless of trade

Isn’t that what you say?

Regardless of status or spouse

Even having moved into my big White House

Seems to me your mind continues to be made

Would you

Like to roll tape and cue

The last 150 years in review?

I told you before I was intelligent and prophetic

Yes

I speak of that same “Hustle”

Of which I still remain “unapologetic”

Every day I walk these streets

Every day

So when we talk and I see you smile and say

“I call a spade a spade”

Is that really how you figure?

Are you still awaiting my approving smile?

Still?

I thought I knew you but you surely don’t know me

You say you only speak of shovels

To that, I say what you said is much bigger

Considerate? Maybe

But it’s still your politically correct way

Of calling a “thug a thug “or a “ a !”

So watch your tongue

And the metaphors you choose to deliver

Round’ me

So

After all these years this is still me

Or as some might say

“Still venting with his pen”

And to that

I still wonder why it’s okay for you to say

“Oh God, here he goes again”

As if speaking to a God you claim doesn’t exist

(Hypocrites)

But then…

When we sit down to break bread you frown

When I give thanks and say “Amen”

This “spade” you claim that looks the same

This thing you say is this harmless phrase

This you should know

Not just in the past but also in these present days

Like this “spade”

We have been used in the dirtiest of ways

We’ve seen our share of ditches

My sister

Often, made to feel low

Although a beautiful and educated queen

She’s frequently been called a “hoe”

And with the many trenches your shovels have made

Let me be the first to quickly remind

There was this time

When they tied ropes to trees

When spades were truly spades

And we were handed those “spades” to dig our own graves

Before they had us swinging with leaves

So

In lieu of all this

My dear friend

If you must persist

If using this phrase you can’t resist

Then I would ask you walk another way

Respect my space, respect my wish

And on your way out

What the Lord made you surely can kiss

So for now and for any other day

Watch what comes off your lips

And be careful what you say

Round’ me