the feeling remains

I love that first breath feeling when I'm back in my hometown Walk slow, it's been a minute since I been around I'm sitting sideways through the city when I visit now Slip into the two or the six going Uptown Bound for the Pelham Bay, Bronx where my momma stay Proud of the decades going back to the '88 Counting all days when we played in any space And we braved all the scrapes and the change along the way Dad taught me free throws at Matthews and Loreto Showed me height alone ain't what it mean to be grown It's bout the heart and the hustle when you dive to the floor Taught me your mind is a weapon, the best one to own Used to grab a slice and soda from Emilio's Used to sit all day on the 12 to see where it go Used to hop the turnstiles when I needed to roam Used to wonder if these avenues were all that I'd know The block ain't the same but the feeling remain It's that home cooked meal with that love on the plate Ayo the block ain't the same but the feeling remain The bodega on the corner know my order the same Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Head nod to the OG's with the 40 oz's That last breath feeling when I'm leaving from my from hometown Walk slow, it might be different when I'm back around Mom's is retired, the homies 'cross the globe But the moments and emotions ain't never gonna go Morris Park cars still scratched up by football tosses Pelham Parkway weeds still turn to flower blossoms Co-op City skyline still bright when the stars lit If you cooking from the heart, Chang Li still the market Grade school closed but the lessons ain't changed Kids correct the roll call when they mess up your name It ain't about the grades or the praise or the accolades It's the courage to be brave enough to own your mistakes I send my love to the fam still holding it down I see you moving with that purpose and a signature bounce You rep the boogie down loud with the sound of us all I'm so proud of what you do putting on for the town cause The block ain't the same but the feeling remain It's that home cooked meal with that love on the plate Ayo the block ain't the same but the feeling remain The bodega on the corner know my order the same Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Jamaican Beef Patty, Arizona on the side Head nod to the OG's with the 40 oz's