Tupac Amaru Shakur . . .

Gifted rapper, actor, dancer, poet. Taken from this life on September 13, 1996, by assassins' bullets in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2Pac was only 25 years old, the victim of a gang-affiliated hit on the Vegas strip following a Mike Tyson heavyweight fight. Thirteen years following the rapper's murder, his killer or killers have not been brought to justice.

Tupac sold more than 75 million albums and CD's and remains a popular icon of the rap and hip-hop world, more than a dozen years after his death. Today, on the anniversary of his passing, I present a small selection of 2Pac's poetry, taken from the 1999 book, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete." His talent was unbounded, a raw force that commanded attention and respect. His death was tragic, a violent homage to the power of his voice. His legacy is indomitable, remaining vibrant and alive.

The Fear in the Heart of a Man

Dedicated 2 My Heart

against an attacker I will boldly take my stand because my heart will show fear 4 no man but 4 a broken heart I run with fright scared 2 be blind in a vulnerable night I believe this fear is in every man some will acknowledge it others will fail 2 understand there is no fear in a shallow heart because shallow hearts don't fall apart but feeling hearts that truly care are fragile 2 the flow of air and if I am 2 be true then I must give my fragile heart I may receive great joy or u may return it ripped apart

Fallen Star

They could never understand what u set out 2 do instead they chose 2 ridicule u when u got weak They loved the sight of your dimming and flickering starlight How could they understand what was so intricate 2 be loved by so many, so intimate they wanted 2 c your lifeless corpse This way u could not alter the course of ignorance that they have set 2 make my people forget what they have done for much 2 long 2 just forget and carry on I had loved u forever because of who u R And now I mourn our fallen star

And 2morrow

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 change A chance 2 build anew 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 dream alive

Life Through My Eyes

Life through my bloodshot eyes

would scare a square 2 death

poverty, murder, violence

and never a moment 2 rest

Fun and games R few

but treasured like gold 2 me

cuz I realize that I must return

2 my spot in poverty

But mock my words when I say

my heart will not exist

unless my destiny comes through

and puts an end 2 all of this

Sometimes I Cry

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.

In the Depths of Solitude (Dedicated 2 Me)

I exist in the depths of solitude

pondering my true goal

Trying 2 find peace of mind

and still preserve my soul

CONSTANTLY yearning 2 be accepted

and from all receive respect

Never compromising but sometimes risky

and that is my only regret

A young heart with an old soul

how can there be peace

How can I be in the depths of solitude

when there R 2 inside of me

This Duo within me causes

the perfect opportunity

2 learn and live twice as fast

as those who accept simplicity

What Is It That I Search 4

I know not what I search 4

But I know I have yet 2 find it,

Because it is invisible 2 the eye

My heart must search 4 it blinded.

And if by chance I find it,

Will I know my mission is achieved?

Can one come 2 conclusions,

Before the question is conceived?

Just as no one knows

what lies beyond the shore,

I will never find the answer 2

what it is that I search 4.

The Eternal Lament

From my mind 2 the depths of my soul

I yearn 2 achieve all of my goals

And all of my free time will be spent

On the 1's I miss I will lament

I am not a perfectionist

But still I seek perfection

I am not a great romantic

But yet I yearn 4 affection

Eternally my mind will produce

ways 2 put my talents 2 use

and when I'm done no matter where I've been

I'll yearn 2 do it all again.

When Ure Heart Turns Cold

When your heart turns cold

it causes your soul 2 freeze

It spreads throughout your spirit

like a ruthless feeling disease

The walls that once were down

now stand firm and tall

Safe from hate/love, pain/joy

until u feel nothing at all

When ure heart turns cold

a baby's cry means nothing

A dead corpse is trivial

Mothers neglecting children is daily

Loneliness becomes your routine friend

Death seems like tranquility

Sleeping is never pleasant

if u even sleep at all

u forget ideals and turn off the reason

2 make sure the product gets sold

You don't understand how I behave

Just wait till your heart turns Cold!

GOD

when I was alone and had nothing

I asked 4 a friend 2 help me bear the

pain no one came except . . . GOD

when I needed a breath 2 rise

from my sleep no one could

help me except . . . . GOD

when all I saw was sadness

and I needed answers no one

heard me except . . . . GOD

so when I am asked who I

give my unconditional love 2

look for no other name

except . . . . . GOD!