Jewels for Your Soul

Bismillah Ar-rahman, Nir-raheem

Para mi hijito, Khalito

Son, there are a few things
You have to know before I go
For sure, we were very poor
When you were first born.
I cried, as I prayed, at times
Because we had such a rough ride
Yet, Allah never cast us aside
And we weathered the tide.
When all of our resources had been spent
And there was no money to be lent
Mommy prayed for the rent.
Know the money came through heaven-sent.
So, always maintain your pride
And don’t do just anything to make a dime.
Don’t you ever sell your soul for drugs
Because jail and hell are awaiting many thugs.
Remember that we’ve struggled

And thrived through many tests
Our much more has followed our much less
So, should money ever have you stressed
You just have faith, and remember,

That you, my son, are truly blessed.
This is your legacy,
You’ve got riches in your soul
Even through poverty,
We’ve had riches more than gold
All through our ancestry,
We’ve had a strength unknown
You just have faith and see,
How your dreams will unfold.
Son take this advice –
Don’t ever let anyone seduce you into vice.
When people start drinking gin and juice
And they start acting loose
Step aside, be quick to slide
Because you, my son,
Have great things to produce.
People will act a fool
And the world is very cruel
But, you follow the Golden Rule
Do for others what you would
Have them do for you.
Though at times you’ll be deceived,
If you fall down on your knees
And you pray and believe,
You will achieve, you will succeed.
This is your legacy,
These are my jewels your soul
Even through poverty,
We’ve had riches more than gold
All through our ancestry,
Our people had a faith unknown
You just have faith and see,
How your dreams will unfold.
Son, you’ve brought peace to my life
I no longer find myself in strife
But, back in the days…
I had violent ways.
Your Uncle Jared says
That I had rage
Just poppin’
All out of me.
So should anyone ever
Try to hurt you in a craze,
Do not be amazed
At the war Mommy'll blaze.
Know this is true,
I’ll proudly die to protect you.
When my life is through,
You remember that I did
What I had to do.
When I die, don’t cry
Don’t grieve;
Know that your mama is

Resting in peace
Because she truly believed;
Once I’m deceased,
Should your life get hard.
Know that Allah is never far
Tell Him what He likes to hear;
That it’s only Him that you fear
Through your trials Allah
Will hold you dear.

When my body lies breathless
I want you to remember nothing less;
That you will never go astray
As long as it's five times a day
That you pray
This is your legacy,
You’ve got riches in your soul
Even through poverty,
We’ve had riches more than gold
All through our ancestry,
We’ve had blessings yet untold
You just have faith and see,
How your dreams will unfold.

Sweet Sistahs by Najea "Eloquence" Lujan

I dedicate this one to my sisters
Because life is so much
Sweeter when I’m wit cha’
Who are we?
Beautiful and sisterly
The ladies who
Represent our community
With dignity
Know how to flex
We never surrender
We demand respect
For our gender
How awesome -
The power of femininity
To see our children come
From out of our bodies
From deep inside us
We are the nicest;
Mothers are priceless,
Queenly Like Isis
We’re not
No kinda hottie
Moschino Ho
Or Versace hotchie
We are radiant
No matter the clothes
Labels don’t define us
I am not lying
All my girls are fine;
We have brilliant minds
That what makes us dimes;
We are goodness genuine
That’s why we always shine.
We bounce and creep
From the concrete
Of them city streets
And swim in country creeks
We bounce and bop
To that Bronx beat
And bellydance in the
African and Arab heat
We’ve got Hip hop
In our feet
Our every move
Is sweet
Our styles are unique
We’re rhyme sayers
Real power players
Smooth like pearls
Grown ghetto girls
It's factual
We're international
Por Favor
Mi amor
Call us mamis
Flowing from Spanish
To Arabic and English
Uptown flavor
With a little sazón
For you to savor
No somos todas
Boricuas, muselmanas,
Colombianas, mexicanas
Ni dominicanas
Pero esto si lo somos
Somos 100% DAMAS
From Bronx bombers
To Students with Honors
Beautiful and sisterly
The ladies who

Represent our community
With dignity
We Dem Beautiful
Brownies and blondies
We're not down for whatever
But, we do get our cheddar
Call us butter
Lucious lips
That don’t stutter.
We them
Slick,
Quick,
Thick mamas
Beauty bombers-
Revolutionary
Like Angela
And Assatta
We are beautiful
Female phenomena.
We don’t bicker about hair
Because we’re too busy
Uniting in prayer
And being there
For our people
Showing that we care
We range from
Light and bright
To dark and black
Like the luscious night
And it’s all right
Because we’re all tight
We feed our seeds
Thanking Almighty Allah
As He provides for our needs
We flip our own whips
We bring home the chips
Epitome of independent
We get the rent
It’s female phenomena
We represent
Ya Ahkawatee
Hear me - Uhibookii
Fisibilah, wa Allahi
Until the day I die.