Ahem . . .
I speak from the soul
No malicious intentions
If I disagree and you disagree
Nothing is wrong with respecting each other’s opinions
Long as there is no beef between us.
See, there is a lot on my conscience, and I need room to speak.

My neighborhood . . .
is deciding to break up with me.
Ten damn years I done been with this lady
Her name?
Heights, University.
When I first met Heights, we did not get along at all.

My heart belonged to South Ward, but
she cut me loose coz’ South felt I wasn’t
mature enough for our relationship.
Course I wasn’t when all she spoke of was larceny . . .
Taking men under the age of twenty-five away
from their families coz’ she was the primary breadwinner,
sole provider of dis’ household where my last
penny couldn’t even cover the rent receipt

I never liked what South did 2 her underlinings.
Set em’ up to be killed by knives, bullets, crack n’ pills
Fuck, name dem’ shits yourselves will you.

Slanging them poisons diluting their cognitive functions
Some were booked to voluntary
servitude involuntarily for the crimes they’ve committed.
Drive-bys, stickups
Assaults, rapes
Molestation, deception
Castration, deprivation.

I couldn’t deal with South’s antics
So . . .
I went my separate way rather we . . .
Went our separate ways.
Heights welcomed me with open arms.
Our spot was astounding

Full backyard, a balcony
One-car garage, three-bedroom loft and walk-in closets.
Wooden flooring, laundry room for the clothing
Dishwasher, full sized kitchen
Dining section included

An open area in the cut where I finally got along with
the neighbors and waltzed the neighborhood without fearing for my safety
Heights and I grew strong.
Until . . .

I found out she was keeping a secret.
When Heights and I met in 2011
Next to our dwelling, a fling that wifey had in the shadows
concepted what eventually became Newark Collegiate
What’d I miscalculate?

Where did we go wrong?
I see this stranger Heights messed around with
is building his real estate portfolio
Gobbling tracts of land where dilapidated bodegas stand
for luxury apartments to take their places.
Heights snuck around with the wealthy men.

She figured I lacked the resources to become another
Nipsey Hussle and start several shops around the neighborhood.
Broad took my loyalty
Threw it through a tussle

She exploited the weakest link.
My block is reminiscent of another Brooklyn
Where the old Baxter Projects were?
They’re breaking ground there also, Heights and her rich dick.
She entertains the residents with enough funds for the lofts and not me.

I don’t receive a dime.
I’m hearing my townhouse could be bought out
And Heights allowing her side nigga to gut the Renaissance House—
Which are clear cut signs that our relationship has come to an end.
Ya’ nigga’s been gentrified!

Sigh . . .
To the man in the dark pickup inquiring about the gaps and
diameters of Heights as you build a posh
settlement from the scattered rubble . . .
I’m the kind of motherfucker who doesn’t appreciate what
he has until it’s gone and not coming back again.

I should have taken the trash out more often.
Not litter your curves (curbs) with bedbug infested
mattresses and televisions sets from the nineties
which were the size of entertainment
centers we sat out cause that shit HAD TO GO.
Perhaps the neighbors coming in will be less
negligent and actually change the hood n’ shit.

You deserve Heights more than I ever could
Hold on, hold on
Wait just a goddamn minute!
Now, I have 2 make it right with Heights.

I can’t just let my woman off the leash dehydrated.
This is my neighborhood!
I spent my entire adolescence here!

I published my first book here!
I attained my armor for the spiritual war here!
I learned the inner workings of myself here!
I earned two degrees here!

I done seen it all here, my rise to prominence
Coming from goldilocks in a hood to an eagle soaring high.
Seein’ Heights violate me must’ve sparked a fire from underneath
I am burning courtesy of the heat.

Sparked the inspiration, I had to set the weed down
I’ll find a way to leave my mark on Heights long after I transition
There is a powerful anointing for me.
So . . .

If you feel like you want to break up with me, so be it . . .
My need for you . . .
Isn’t needed.