Excerpts

From Section One: The Rose That Grew From Concrete The Rose That Grew from Concrete Autobiographical Did u hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete Proving nature's laws wrong it learned 2 walk without having feet Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams it learned 2 breathe fresh air Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared! In the Depths of Solitude Dedicated 2 Me I exist in the depths of solitude pondering my true goal Trying 2 find peace of mind and still preserve my soul CONSTANTLY yearning 2 be accepted and from all receive respect Never compromising but sometimes risky and that is my only regret A young heart with an old soul how can there be peace How can I be in the depths of solitude when there R 2 inside of me This Duo within me causes the perfect opportunity 2 learn and live twice as fast as those who accept simplicity Sometimes I Cry Sometimes when I'm alone I cry because I'm on my own The tears I cry R bitter and warm They flow with life but take no form I cry because my heart is torn and I find it difficult 2 carry on If I had an ear 2 confide in I would cry among my treasured friends But who do u know that stops that long to help another carry on The world moves fast and it would rather pass u by than 2 stop and c what makes u cry It's painful and sad and sometimes I cry and no one cares about why. Under the Skies Above After the Miscarriage My child is out there somewhere under the skies above waiting anxiously 4 u and me 2 bless it with our love A part of me a part of u and a part of this love we share will protect my unborn child who lives dormant out there somewhere Sometimes in my dreams I imagine what it would be like How could I properly guide him when even I don't know what's right Whether he is born in wealth or poverty there will be no deficiency in love I welcome this gift of life given from GOD under the skies above Copyright © 1999 by The Estate of Tupac Shakur Excerpted from The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Afeni ShakurNikki GiovanniLeila Steinberg

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
Foreword: Tupac, C U in Heaven	p. xv
Introduction	p. xix
The Rose That Grew from Concrete
The Rose That Grew from Concrete	p. 3
In the Depths of Solitude	p. 5
Sometimes I Cry	p. 7
Under the Skies Above	p. 9
Life Through My Eyes	p. 11
When Ure Heart Turns Cold	p. 13
Untitled	p. 15
The Eternal Lament	p. 17
Only 4 the Righteous	p. 19
What of Fame?	p. 21
The Shining Star Within!	p. 23
Starry Night	p. 25
If I Fail	p. 27
What Is It That I Search 4	p. 29
The Fear in the Heart of a Man	p. 31
God	p. 33
Nothing Can Come Between Us
Nothing Can Come Between Us	p. 37
My Dearest One!!	p. 39
If There Be Pain...	p. 41
Things That Make Hearts Break	p. 43
Black Woman	p. 45
And Still I Love U	p. 47
The Mutual Heartache?	p. 49
1st Impressions	p. 51
A Love Unspoken	p. 53
Forever and Today	p. 55
When I Do Kiss U	p. 57
Carmencita of the Bronx!	p. 59
Untitled	p. 61
Love Is Just Complicated	p. 63
Elizabeth	p. 65
I Know My Heart Has Lied Before	p. 67
From First Glance	p. 69
1 for April	p. 71
Wife 4 Life	p. 73
Tears from a Star	p. 75
March 1st--The Day After April	p. 77
Why Must U Be Unfaithful	p. 79
The Power of a Smile	p. 81
Genesis (The Rebirth of My Heart)	p. 83
Love Within a Storm	p. 85
What Can I Offer Her?	p. 87
Jada	p. 89
The Tears in Cupid's Eyes	p. 91
Cupid's Smile II	p. 93
What I See!	p. 95
In the Midst of Passion	p. 97
2 People with 1 Wish	p. 99
Hours Pass By	p. 101
Just a Breath of Freedom
Just a Breath of Freedom	p. 105
For Mrs. Hawkins	p. 107
The Sun and the Moon	p. 109
"Fallen Star"	p. 111
Government Assistance or My Soul	p. 113
Family Tree	p. 115
Or My Soul	p. 117
When Ure Hero Falls	p. 119
Untitled	p. 121
"U R Ripping Us Apart !!!"	p. 123
A River That Flows Forever	p. 125
Can U C the Pride in the Panther	p. 127
Tears of a Teenage Mother	p. 129
"Where There Is a Will...."	p. 131
Liberty Needs Glasses
Liberty Needs Glasses	p. 135
How Can We Be Free	p. 137
The Promise	p. 139
And 2morrow	p. 141
No-Win	p. 143
The Unanswerable?	p. 145
Nightmares	p. 147
So I Say Goodbye	p. 149
In the Event of My Demise	p. 150