Met twee albums met muziek geïnspireerd op zijn poëzie, hebben veel mensen nu ontdekt dat Tupac niet alleen een invloedrijke rapper en een eminent acteur was, maar ook een jonge, inspirerende dichter. Hieronder staan onze persoonlijke favorieten, ontleend aan het boek “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”. Alle gedichten zijn geschreven door Tupac Shakur; en uiteraard behouden in het Engels.
In the event of my demise
When my heart can beat no more
I hope I die for a principle
Or belief that I had lived 4
I will die before my time
Because I feel the shadow’s depth
So much I wanted 2 accomplish
Before I reached my death
I have come 2 grips with the possibility
And wiped the last tear from my eyes
I loved all who were positive
In the event of my demise!
Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack
in the concrete
Proving nature’s laws wrong it learned 2 walk
without having feet
Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams
It learned 2 breathe fresh air
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
When no one else even cared!
Today is filled with anger
Fueled with hidden hate
Scared of being outcast
Afraid of common fate
Today is built on tragedies
Which no one wants 2 face
Nightmares 2 humanities
And morally disgraced
Tonight is filled with rage
Violence in the air
Children bred with ruthlessness
Because no one at home cares
Tonight I lay my head down
But the pressure never stops
Gnawing at my sanity
Content when I am dropped
But 2morrow I c changes
Built on spirit, intent of heart
And ideals based on truth
And 2morrow I wake with second wind
And strong because of pride
2 know I fought with all my heart 2 keep my dreams alive
Sometimes when I’m alone
I cry because I’m on my own
The tears I cry R bitter and warm
They flow with life but take no form
I cry because my heart is torn
and I find it difficult 2 carry on
If I had an ear 2 confide in
I would cry among my treasured friends
But who do u know that stops that long
to help another carry on
The world moves fast and it would rather pass u by
than 2 stop and c what makes u cry
It’s painful and sad and sometimes I cry
and no one cares about why.
The day u chose 2 leave me
It rained constantly outside
In truth I swore the rain 2 be
The tears in Cupid’s eyes
Can u c the Pride in the Pantha
As he glows in splendor and grace
Toppling OBSTICLES placed in the way
Of the progression of his race
Can u c the Pride in the Pantha
As she nurtures her young all alone
The seed must grow regardless
Of the fact that it’s planted in stone.
Can’t u c the Pride in the Panthas
as they unify as one
The flower blooms with brilliance
and outshines the rays of the sun
Take one’s adversity
Learn from their misfortune
Learn from their pain
Believe in something
Believe in yourself
Turn adversity into ambition
Now blossom into wealth
A young heart with an old soul
How can there be peace?
How can I be in the depths of solitude
When there are two inside of me?
This duo in me causes the perfect opportunity
To learn and live twice as fast
As those who accept simplicity...
The power of a gun can kill
and the power of Fire can Burn
The power of wind can chill
and the power of the mind can learn
The power of anger can rage
inside until it tears u apart
But the Power of a Smile
especially yours can heal a frozen Heart
I don’t have everything
as a matter of fact I don’t have anything
except a dream of a better day
and you 2 help me find my way
Being a man I am sure 2 make mistakes
but 2 keep u I would do all it takes
and if it meant my love was really true
I’d gladly die and watch over u
I wish a knew how much I cared
u’d see my love is true by the life we’d share
Even if a changed your mind and said our love was thru
I’d want 2 die continuously cry and still I’d love u