'Cause Thugs need love too

Artwork by @ArtZanolino

Dear Mama

When I was young, me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place

Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin' all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids

And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminisce on the stress I caused,
it was hell, huggin' on my mama from a jail cell

And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I'll see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin' from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside

And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man

You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

"2Basquiat" Artwork by @ArtZanolino

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger

They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love

I moved out and started really hangin'
I needed money of my own so I started slangin'
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox

I love payin' rent when the rent's due
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me

And I could see you comin' home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin'

But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

Mixed media artwork by @ArtZanolino

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus

When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me

And even though I act crazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real

And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day

Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

-Tupac Shakur-