As I sat in my room
On a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon
I again started to reflect way back when
On the women and men I used to call friends
Then again, I still would if I could
But—man!
They’ve fallen like the raindrops
Spattered on the window outside
Like the teardrops I’ve cried
Once upstanding like Doctor Jekyl
But now deranged like Mister Hyde
Wildin’ out like Bonnie and Clyde
And to reach out and touch them
And try to help and save them I’ve tried
But I couldn’t
And now in you all these things I confide
But maybe I shouldn’t
You see, they told us all that they were fine
But they were just telling us lies
They were leading lives of deception
You could see it in their eyes
With them the things righteous and true
Never made a connection
To them the things righteous and true
Was just a sweet, caramel-coated confection
You know, a placebo
Though the truth was never in their hearts
For some, the game was over before they even pressed "Start"
They were leading lives of deception
You could see it in their eyes
They had that shady look
Their spiritual inheritance they forsook
Sacred secrets revealed they forsook
And from the company of you and I they shook
Look! Then they took up practices rebellious and ruthless
Ending up torn up, beat down, broken and toothless
Feeling lonely and useless
Because of an attitude so foolish
And all we can say is "Who’s this?"
Just a broken shell of their former self
Their self-esteem, their hopes, their dreams
Their spiritual wealth
These were doused and quelched
’Cause they stacked the hand against themselves
The Devil’s royal flush they were dealt
Pains a thousand times worse than the smack of my father’s belt
And as I sat in my room
On that cold and rainy Saturday afternoon
These feelings continued to loom
Intermingling with the persistent wind chill
And thick, grey gloom
Reminding me of this world and of its impending doom
And as I stared at my window outside
I thought about the former ties I had with those guys
Living their lives in disguise
And the anger and pain, sadness and blame
Caused me to wonder "Why?"
Why did those guys have to die?
And buy that lie that they could have their pie
And eat it too
And why couldn’t I have stopped them?
Each one adding to the grand sum of tragic stories
That no doubt you know of and have, too
So instead of their actions attacking us
I hope and pray that they come back to us someday
Yet as I stand here on the mike
And on this brisk mid-winter’s night
This piece on friendship recite
You know what’s tight?
As look around I see the faces of those who’ve enjoyed
A much different plight
I see the faces of my young brothers
Who refuse to fight but have become real lovers of the truth
From their youth on
Like Naomi’s daughter-in-law Ruth
Are in it for the long haul
Mighty like Joe Young
Kings strong, tall and stalwart like Kong
All along
I see the faces of my dear sisters
Fine young women
Nice, kind and sweet like Entermann’s
Hence, you all show reverence
You all never wince
Despite the appearance
And persistent interference from those worldly guys
You all have the eyes of fire
So pure is your desire
To do the things God requires
Unlike so many others
Our future wives and our future mothers
I see the faces of those
Who once were laid down by Satan’s smack
But then you got up
You realized like Aaliyah you could
"Dust yourself off and try again"
And now you’re back
Ready to fight, sack
Act, attack and react to the false demonic tactics
You’re elastic, flexible
Like a home theater system with bass and treble
Ready to crank things up to the next level
On the Devil
As your old friends made new ask
"Hello? Can you hear us now? Good."
As I look around this place
Those tears I once shed are replaced
With a smile on my face
And just in case y’all don’t know it yet
We’re elated to have you here
Much love, much respect
And don’t forget that you all are dearly loved
On each other we must depend
The same love we share
Reflects the love from above
You all are the true definition
Of friends