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Notes About The Poem

Awarded: First place In Raul Moreno’s contest as outlined below:

1 original, poem on Tupac Shakur, apart from being a hardcore rapper, Tupac's poetic side showcased the issues close to his heart of child neglect, poverty, nature, political views, and many warm dedications. One of those dedications was a poem written for Vincent Van Gogh. I would like the poetry submitted to be along the same fashion of his timely dedication to Vincent. I have enclosed his poem below as an example. This contest will close on Tupac's birthday, June 16th. I will allow any form for this contest. If you have any questions please feel free to soup mail me.

Starry Night
A creative heart, obsessed with satisfying
this dormant and uncaring society
you have given them the stars at night
and u have given them Bountiful Bouquets of Sunflowers
but 4 u there is only contempt
and though u pour yourself into that fame and present it so proudly
this world could not accept your masterpieces from the heart
So on that starry night u gave 2 us and u took away from us
the one thing we never acknowledged, your life.
—Tupac Shakur

The Harlem Rose

You rapped half yourself around the world
With outrageous rhythm and rhyme
Did crime did time
Bound yourself in chains
Etched your name in fame
While your other half remained unclaimed
In a book of poetry
You wrote in quiet moments
4 no 1 else 2 c
Where now I find the depths
And gentle beauty of your soul
As every petal of your being
Now unchained unfolds 
A Rose that grew from concrete
Now I breathe your fragant breath
A Man I never understood in life
Now I understand in death.
~~~~~

Written:  June 9, 2010
A tribute to: Tupac Shakur
Inspired by:  His book of poetry, 'The Rose that Grew From Concrete'. 

About Tupac:
 
Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), known by his stage names 2Pac (or simply Pac) and Makaveli, was an American rapper. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world.>  In the United States alone he has sold 37.5 million records.


Tupac Shakur’s most intimate and honest thoughts were uncovered only after his death with The Rose That Grew From Concrete, a collection of deeply personal poetry handwritten by Tupac in his own private notebooks over the course of his life - a mirror into his enigmatic world and its many contradictions written from the time he was 19.

dedicationroseroseelegy

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Marie Harrison

Date: 7/8/2010 4:46:00 AM

Sounds like a nice evening to me!

Amy Green

Date: 6/23/2010 8:18:00 AM

Love this. Great sonnet.

Carrie Richards

Date: 6/23/2010 7:27:00 AM

Another beauty, Elaine!! Love this! It makes me long for a winter's night....to sit in the quiet...watching the embers glow. Lovely sonnet. Love Carrie