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        (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.