Roots Before Branches

Violets grow in the worst kind of violence,
There's something so sinister in this silence.
The rose garden dedicated to this city's skyline;
It's slowly withering away; it's dying.
I can feel the heartbeat of this city below my feet;
But I can't understand how I feel such defeat.
Walls are closing in, palms are growing sweaty;
Seduced into sin; I need to get away from me.

Architecture is the bones of this city;
Every time I look at it; I feel a renewed energy.
You can find me in New York City;
Where the boys are rebels and the girls are pretty.
But I can't promise I'll be there for you;
It's a nice thought but I can't lie; I wouldn't know what to do.
In a city full of billions of thoughts;
In mine; I've never been so lost.

There's always a seed before there's a rose.
The more that it rains, the more I will grow.
I know today is the prologue to a whole new world,
But I can't help but I feel like I'm lost for words.
I feel like a version of myself is about to die,
Struck down my something so different,
Something so vicious.
Change isn't something I ever thought would scare me,
But, here we are, and this life of mine has become incredibly overwhelming.

Waves of nostalgia pass over me as I shiver;
I'm drowning in the Hudson River.
I can see Jersey City from here;
I hope everyone is happy over there.
I'll take a photo of this moment; only for my eyes to see;
A kid so alone, here, in New York City.
I fought with someone I love so dearly;
What the fuck was I thinking?
I gaze at the photo I just took;
In the corner; he catches my eye; I take a look.
A man sitting on a bench by the water;
His hat's covering his face but I know he's a father.
I look closer at the shot;
I can see a faint tear; he too is lost.
I'm not the only one in New York City;
Everyone else's life is shitty!

Somehow that makes me feel less alone;
These roots before branches can only help me to grow;
To grow into a man I can be proud of;
A man who can look in the mirror and say; You are enough.
So meet me at dusk on 7th & 35th;
I'll take a Polaroid picture of you;
And you'll know that this is it.