This "joint" (poem) was “rolled” (written) to express the pain and frustration of our brothers and sisters that have been endowed (inspired) with the gifts of God, but they (their gifts) are trapped inside of them. We were made in God's image and should exhibit (show) a certain likeness to Him because He breathed (put) into us His own breath (inspiration, spirit and abilities). If we see someone using their gifts and abilities in a way that does not bring glory to their creator, then there is an unseen force (that is more powerful than them) that has them in a spiritual choke hold (all we see is the behavior). They (so-called thugs) have received (inhaled) divine (God-given) abilities but have not received the help necessary to express and release (exhale) what is inside due in part to our misunderstanding of them and the lack of service by the body of faith that meets them at their point of need. Our assistance to them (with nothing expected from them in return) should represent the unseen hands of God working in the community to release them from the grips of those vices (drugs, child abuse and neglect, lack of opportunities, poverty, hopelessness etc) that inhibit (block) their growth and development. Since we have not put some flesh upon the words that we claim to believe in (been Christ- like), they have become creative and display their gifts and talents in ways that are deemed (called) criminal (against the law). So, the young man with the gift of gab that has the potential to be a minister becomes a pimp and the one that would have been a chemist or businessman becomes a drug dealer while we stand in the shadows condemning them for their behavior, not realizing that God is judging us for our failure to make Him real by intervening (in His name) to help them out of their predicament. The purpose of this "joint" (poem) is to "lift" us to a "higher" level of understanding that will cause us to DO the word of God as opposed to just singing, praising and preaching about what and who we believe in. Remember that God's word is not just meant to make us feel good causing us to praise Him and shout. It should also admonish (correct) us when we get off track and out of line with the full gospel of Christ. Thanks for reading these words I love y’all !

"I CAN'T BREATHE"

(FROM THE HURT FOLKS TO THE CHURCH FOLKS) Copyright 2001 Written By: Mr. Marion Obafemi, "THE PO' FOLK'S POET" and inspired By: God

Where is the relief I thought I would receive ?

Where is the brighter day I thought I would see ? How did I end up in this misery ?

Am I making payments on somebody else's bad deeds ?

I am dying inside, but nobody grieves

I know I must accept my own responsibilities

But, this world is choking me and

" I CAN'T BREATHE"...

How did I get here ?

I thought this would be my year

But, all my hope has disappeared

And, I am stuck in the same gear

I can't explain how I feel

So, people think that I am weird

When I claim, that all the air has been drained, from my atmosphere.

If you get lost on your way to hell, there is no need to despair I have lived there all my life, follow me, I can take you there

There is a fact of life that just isn't fair: When the flames are going out in hell, my world supplies the air.

Where is the optimism and all my confidence ?

All that's left is the evidence of a life that's spent

I am drunk with the wine of other people's influence And, I can't find the strength to resist

I don't know where I am going and don't want to return to where I've been

I'm trapped inside of this pen of corruption and sin I'm just another lost soul that's blowing in the wind.

I know I haven't been an angel, but more than me needs to repent

I had a lot of help getting into this predicament

I was always in trouble and half my life was spent

In front of the man who wears the long black robe and sits behind the bench

He called what I did a crime, but I call it trying to pay the rent.

When I was wounded and left for dead beside the road of life, there was no "Good Samaritan" to rescue me

When I was lost from the flock like a sheep, there was no "shepherd" that came and looked for me.

When my soul was hungry and yearning to be fed, no one gave me the "bread of life"

When the flower in my heart was dry and withering, you withheld your "rain" with all your might

When I was blinded in the darkness, you refused to shine your "light".

Those who claim to be living Testaments

Seem to have forgotten and need to be convinced That they are the only "saviors" that the Lord has ever sent.

In order to earn my keep and have food to eat I hang out all night and hustle on these streets

I'm locked inside this cage and can't seem to find the key

I have talents that have never been developed and released

This load is so heavy, until I'm falling to my knees

To beg the Lord to have mercy please

And, give my broken and weary soul some ease Because, like a thermometer in the winter, I am falling by degrees

I'm in over my head, this water is much too deep Church folks say I am out too far and well beyond their reach

I think they are suffering from a disease called greed Gone are the days when people practice what they preach

So, when the "world" throws me its scraps, called crime, weed and crack, like I'm an animal, I run to retrieve.

I'm alive, but there is no life in me

If these are the days of the living dead, then I must be a zombie

I have two feet, but I'm going nowhere, because I'm stuck on this dead end street

My heart is numb and cold, because love and affection was never shown, to me

I have two eyes, but I'm still blind, because I don't see the traps that are being set for me

My hands are only used, as the proper tools, to do my dirty deeds

My lips are split, to allow me to spit, out words that are poisonous like a snake in a tree

I have two ears, but still can't hear, no matter how loud you scream

Cold water is running through my veins, so I don't feel the pain, and if you cut me, I won't bleed

There are two holes, in my nose, but still

"I CAN'T BREATHE" !!!!!