[Verse 1]
Chain-link shadows on my shirt
Plastic bag, all my worth
Mama in the parking lot, eyes hurt
"I’m back," I say, but I’m still alert
Probation papers in my back pocket
Last name labeled like a lost rocket
Old friends text, "hit a quick profit"
Voice in my head, "boy, don’t you walk off it"
Bus pass warm in my hand
Whole town small, still talk on the ‘Gram
Clerk watch close when I pick up the bread
Manager whisper, like I can’t hear what he said
Tattoos itching under fresh air
Missed three summers, they still right here
They built a mall where the court used to stand
But the judge in my brain still bang that gavel, man
[Chorus]
I just walked out the gate, but the gate in my mind still closed
Hands up high, middle finger to the world that wrote my code
You only see my number, you don’t see my scars
I been doing time in my soul, now I’m reaching for the stars
I just walked out the gate, I ain’t going back in
If the world wanna chain me, I’ma break that pen
Yeah, I paid that price, now I write my own law
Fresh air in my lungs, and I’m ready for the w*r
