Concrete Rose: A Tupac Shakur Tribute

The concrete rose concept is a complicated concept
But it applies accurately to the life I lead
Growing up I seen alot of things that would make it hard for someone to smile
At an impressionable age, I've learned the tricks and the trade of crime, learning everything from how to bag up to disassemble pistols
I shot guns, been shot at, sold drugs, done drugs, and held it all inside of my brown eyes
I used to look to the ground and think that I would never make it out of the struggle I myself created
But instead of staying in the confines of my concrete prison, I decided to bloom
I strived to reach the sun and began to climb from the street
The scratches on my petals are the scars I earned throughout my lifetime
I still couldn't quit
When I began to see the light, the seeds who were stuck in their concrete prison attempted to keep me company to their misery,
But I would not defer
When I rose from the concrete, some looked as though I was a miracle, realizing that I was not perfect with my scars
They saw the scars as the battle wounds of a man who would everything to rise
Others saw me as ugly because of my scars, but only if they knew, only of they knew the good I was capable of
I know the responsibility I have now
I know that the concrete rose must pollinate
He must spread the knowledge that he himself had attained
So I spread my petals and let all those who were told were never to bloom,
And I say, "Rise"