Weight of the Block (version 3)

Intro

Basement pipes talk before the sun does

Radiator knocking like it's asking who's up

I'm up, been up, somebody's gotta be

The beam under the floor so the block don't creep

Verse 1

Miss Odessa's rent short again, third of the month

Grandbaby's asthma pump broke, she needs it up front

I front it, don't blink, put it back on the list

Ledger in my head, longer than my wrist

Deshawn's bail set at eleven hundred flat

Called me from the tank, said cousin I got your back

Sold my sneakers to a kid on Marlowe for the cash

Walked home in socks, told nobody 'bout that math

My little brother's science fair, glue gun and a fan

Stayed up till it's finished, taught him how to plan

Building's got one beam holding up the floor

Pull it and the whole thing folds in on the poor

I'm the beam, I don't crack, I just bow a little more

Every crack gets filled before it hits the door

Nobody sees the strain until the ceiling drips

I keep it dry, keep the weight up on my hips

Chorus

I hold the weight of the block

Steady under every knock

Roof could fall, I'm the prop

I hold the weight of the block

Verse 2

Landlord came Tuesday, said the building's condemned

Called a meeting, everybody looking like where's the plan

Told them gimme two weeks, worked a double at the yard

Pouring concrete all day, went home and poured my heart

Rosa asked me once, who holds you when it's heavy

I laughed it off, said the block, that's already steady

Truth is my knees crack louder than the floorboards do

Ice on my back, wrapped it up before the interview

Cousin Nay-Nay got accepted, needed money for the dorm

Emptied out the coffee can, told her that's the norm

Nobody asks the beam if the beam wants a rest

It just holds until it's tested, holds until it's stressed

Fire escape rusted through, still I climb it twice a day

Check on Mr. Aldo, make sure he ain't drift away

I'm structural, not special, that's the role I chose

Foundation doesn't get to fold, foundation only holds

Chorus

I hold the weight of the block

Steady under every knock

Roof could fall, I'm the prop

I hold the weight of the block

[Brid