Still on this mind bend - here counting time off the clock.
Should be studying my notes- but I'm watching Jesus walk.
During the day I work and in-between I dream.
Today my time was spent thinking about my whole team.

'A' string or 'B'
No division- I mean everyone I met.
For those who stood behind me
and for those who gave me stress.
For those who burned my patience
To those who cultivated grace

If it wasn't for YOUR efforts-I would never speak this case
and I would have to measure my fortitude against a foreign interface.
But this one can stand and honestly claim his place
Put one upon his shoulders - one day- I'll return the ace.

So what is it I speak of ? listen I'll say this once and clear
when you begin to doubt yourself-keep this one stanza near your ear.

"If it wasn't for YOUR existence, so much would never be
who would this message belong to? YOUR life has cultivated me
the fact that YOU'RE still reading this tells me one thing alone.
YOU'RE meant to do great things- YOUR curiosity tells me so".

All a y'all have real skillz,…… every single one.
YOUR ultimate ambitions will stand and ultimately fail none.
Although there is one condition, which is difficult to portray.
It deals with YOUR inner thoughts, often words YOU'D never say...
What are YOUR true intentions? YOUR motives behind YOUR actions?
It's 50% measure of what brings YOUR partial satisfaction.

It's good to know who YOU are and where YOU'RE built to stand.
Who YOUR strength comes from- and the work only made for YOUR hands.
It's good to know who's with YOU, when the hour of need comes.
I just ask for YOU to come with me, and I'll be there when YOUR hour comes.

To often I entertain YOU, without leaving a piece of my mind.
Tomorrow I write my exam, but tonight I put thought in every line.
Each and every homez I got, friend, acquaintance, foe.
I still consider family- even if in time they are less words.

So hear me tonight before I sleep and hit stages of R.E.M
I'm grateful for your presence.
I cannot fully thank YOU and all my friends.

-Caustan De Riggs (SoulJazz CRiG)