Rise Up Review
(Only in Certain Company)
As simple as
Stayin woke (exhausted nonetheless)
As simple as
Slammin for trophies
As simple as
Keepin up on hostage situations (in a foreign country you ain't in)
As simple as
Great migrations
As simple as
Goin in, Sun (especially on new moon nights)
As simple as
Drinkin by yourself (in a youtube wormhole)
As simple as
Racism to a child
As simple as
If we don't get rid of all these (Only in certain company)
As simple as
Smokin with strangers
As simple as
Underground railroads (before metros or subways)
As simple as
One piece bathin suits
As simple as
Billionaires lunchin (at KFC or Pauls)
As simple as
Roosevelt’s wheelchair
As simple as
Turnin up to turn it out
As simple as
Primary colors (water paints or crayons)
As simple as
An ocean payin a water bill
As simple as
Oh shit, post that (and gettin no likes)
As simple as
Sharin our mental illnesses with strangers
As simple as
Slappin palms like, What's good my (only in certain company)
As simple as
Otherin in gradschool like, I know that muhfuckin professor didn't just say...
As simple as
Stop, get frisked (and maybe killed)
As simple as
Makin it to the toilet like, Damn I’m drunk as hell
As simple as
Pressin unfriend (after stressin it all week)
As simple as
Keep it real my (only in certain company)
As simple as
Gettin to the protest late (alone and still fist pumpin)
As simple as
Orderin coffee in 1989
As simple as
What? (only in certain company) please.
As simple as
Bein Other'd by others (cuz it's hot right now)
As simple as
Wantin to be famous
As simple as
Trippin in the mirror like, Damn I’m high as hell
As simple as
Bein political all of sudden (cuz now's the time)
As simple as
Overhearin on the 6 train, Fuck outta here with your bullshit
As simple as realizing you're irrelevant (and acceptin it)
—Malik Crumpler
@riseupreview 2017
Malik Ameer Crumpler is a poet, rapper and music producer who has released several albums, short films and five books of poetry. He co-founded the literary journals: Madmens Calling, Visceral Brooklyn and Those That This. Malik has an MFA in Creative Writing from Long Island University, Brooklyn. He is the curator/host of Poets Live, Paris and the new editor-at-large for The Opiate. Crumpler also wrote several musicals, ballets/arias commissioned by Harvest Works, Liberation Dance Theater, Firehouse Space, Panoply Lab, B’AM Paris, B’AM Vancouver, and Double Wei Factory.
