(Intro – weary chuckle, mic hums) (Heh… yeah.) (This ain’t the final exam… not yet.) (It’s the midterm. Let’s see who been listenin’.) Verse 1 I’m halfway through a lifetime, still learnin’ my lessons (mm) Every loss was a lecture, every scar a confession (real talk) Used to measure worth in weapons, now I measure it in blessings (uh-huh) Same page, same pen, but a different expression (facts) Question: how many prayers bounce off the ceiling? (how many?) How many nggas act hard but can’t handle the feelin’? (too many) I been kneelin’ on floors where the hope got mopped (word) Now I’m teachin’ my seed how to breathe through shock (breathe) Shock turned to focus, pain turned to purpose (uh-huh) My name on the surface don’t show half the furnace (nah) Burn slow like incense, each sense sharpened Cut deep but I’m scarvin’, still eatin’, still starvin’ (still) (Adlib: “Balance that, huh.”) Verse 2 Used to chase validation like it owed me rent (rent) Now I pace patience, lettin’ time pay the cents (wait) Ain’t no sense in pretend, I been broke in the mind Had to fix my reflection before I polished the rhyme (mirror work) See, the midterm ain’t graded, but it tells the truth (yeah) You can fake your youth, but your eyes show proof (look) Every gray strand in the beard been earned (earned) Every bridge I burned built the fire I learned (facts) Turned enemies to echoes, they fade in the static (fade) My peace automatic, no need for dramatics (nah) Still charismatic, but calm with the damage Got a son with his manners, got a God with the answers (amen) (Adlib: “Say that.”) Verse 3 Now I’m talkin’ to the version of me that ain’t healed yet (yeah) Tellin’ him to breathe before the pills get real wet (breathe) Tellin’ him the deal set, don’t fold from regret (nah) The pain you protect gon’ own you next (remember that) See, forgiveness ain’t weakness, it’s armor for vision (armor) And I don’t need permission to finish this mission (nah) I’m conditioned by conviction, built from friction (built) Transitioned from addiction to faith in repetition (grind) So when I rhyme now, I ain’t tryin’ to impress you (nah) I’m tryin’ to reach the kid that I used to confess to (talk to him) Midterm marks mean you halfway there (halfway) Don’t trip, keep writin’—the answers appear (keep writin’) (Outro – fading warmth in the tone) (If you failed before… it don’t mean you finished.) (Just means class still in session.) (The Midterm.) (Dad Gang Curriculum.) (Keep goin’.)
