BULLETPROOF

Shore-Nice: 

What do I have to offer?

Remind me my purpose once more.

The moment I served my purpose,

After trusting me to keep you safe 

You counted on me for protection 

But now I've lost my value 

And you aren't there to remind me

of my past days of glory..

Those moments when your words 

of encourgement meant a lot—

You might see it as Falling Glory,

But to me those are moments I confide into 

when I'm weak to keep me strong and moving;

I found you wanting when I needed you most 

I still carry those bullet holes for your sake,

Where I took the bullets in your place.

Kante:

Easy come, easy go

I fell so hard and yet you go

What I felt for you, you know

Eating deep my heart and soul

But I was a tool and not a man

An umbrella for when you stand

A parachute for you to land

But you left me in the sand

You keep messing with my glands

I looked forward to the day

When I'd hold you in my hands

But I saw you in another man's arms

And I had no words to say

I took the bullets that were meant for you

Like a surgeon I removed them too

I did all these for you

Because I knew how it felt too

You took my wings and so you fly

Because I encouraged you to try

Here I am asking why

You threw me off like a broken sword

Why drop me off like an empty gun?

I still carry the bullet holes for you

I'm the talk of the town, the clown

But you're the icing on the cake in gowns

You see me these days and frown

You're the biggest thing in town

You threw me off like an empty song

I can't help but sing outward

Asking the sun questions it can't find

Why did you leave me. Why?

Bella Fuego:

I still carry the scars from the bullets

Still have memories of our love, and how we started

Now, I manage to heal from the reject

Only thing I feel in my heart is regret

And everything seems so very hard to forget

Lol,

Knew my worth but still fell hard for you

Got drunk on the love I had for you

Felt like I was on the top of the world

At a time, I worshipped you like you were God

Broke my heart and still played the victim card

Treated me like a dumb lad

Now I'm here and I'm fucking sad

That's what I get for loving too hard

And for the times I loved and you played me

I wish I had seen through the lies you told me

All I can do is weep and drown in my sorrow

And hope for a happier me tomorrow

Still asking the sun questions it can't find

Why did you leave me, Why!

Shalom-Paul Onadipe x Yussuf Ramah x Tokede Opeyemi

February, 2022.

Paul sent me the first draft of this piece, I found it irresistible and jumped on it. Then I sent the work to Ramah for a woman's touch, and as ever, she came through. Can't appreciate you guys enough for what you do. Thanks for sending Paul, thanks for joining Ramah.