Shadow's Shield

My beloved son Sage
I want to commend you on your choice
To face your inner demons and follow the path of your higher self
Hope and inspiration are the gifts you bring
I see you working steadfastly to meet your challenges bravely
And to keep evolving spiritually
You are a shining light in our family
Your circle of friends
And to everyone your life and art touches

Navy blue, Sage, Gabriel, Carlos, Trey
I am so proud of you

And remember honey
Even in the midst of all that is unjust, terrifying and evil
Love still reigns supreme and conquers hate
So do not dwell in anger
Enjoy life on this spaceship earth
And do great work
I love you

Ain't got nothing left to say when it's time
Thinking to myself we'll be alright
Can't complain, not the same as I was
With a view of the stars sitting right above me
Ain't nothing left to say when it's time
Thinking to myself we'll be alright
Can't complain, not the same as I was
With a view of the stars sitting right above me

Welcome to what I call praise
Give thanks, mama birthed me and they named the boy Sage
My pain still present, I can't make it go away
My face known in the heavens, I got many of 'em wanting life
What a life we live, we fall from great heights
Just to learn we got more to learn, more to heal
I can't hide behind this smile like I hide behind a shield
Shadows stretching on the pavement, I don't know what's real anymore

Flashbacks 'bout a tree on my court
Corpses with my OD I'm exploring
Ain't mean to spoil the story, it's a warrior's tale
Told by my ancestors, make way up the hill
And when I reached the top, sis, the moment was still
What's the verdict? Your synopsis is brutally real
Like it or not, best to own up, you a grown up now
Memories are memories, I can hold those proud
'Cause the other shit is cutting deep
A lot I gotta figure out, another brother in the ground

A lot I gotta figure out, another day to summer show
Another brother in the ground
I'm just tryna make my mama and my family proud
That's on everything
I'm just tryna make 'em proud
I know they proud of me, I'm tryna make 'em proud

Tryna make 'em proud

Hey Sagey, um, it's dad, um
Checking in, hope everything's well with you
Just wanted to say how much I love you and how grateful I am for you
And how grateful I am to have each other
Blessings and protection
Okay, that's it