Tupac Shakur was well known for being a talented artist and actor, but few people were ever aware of his poetry skills. It’s not hard to imagine when you factor in that he was an art school kid – he attended Baltimore School for the Arts – studying theatre, music and literature. His albums and movies always drew critical acclaim but little was mentioned of the poems he created while a student and beyond. Below, we’ve collected 23 incredible poems that will introduce you to his work. For more poems check out Tecumseh – Live Your Life
23 Incredible Tupac Shakur Poems
1. The Power of a Smile
The power of a gun can kill and the power of Fire can Burn The power of wind can chill and the power of the mind can learn The power of anger can rage inside until it tears u apart But the Power of a Smile especially yours can heal a frozen Heart – Tupac
2. Genesis (The Rebirth of My Heart) (dedicated 2 Renee Ross) First there was nothing Not even the faint echo of a song Loneliness was daily 4 me until u came
First there was nothing Not even the faint echo of a song Loneliness was daily 4 me until u came along There was a gleam of stars in your eyes I thought I’d never feel this way again But u were the one 2 reach into my heart And find in me a Friend I could not ignore the magnetism that I felt when u were near And any problems plaguing my mind would suddenly disappear It was the rebirth of my heart The day u became my friend Because I knew from the moment I held u that I would find love again – Tupac
3. Love Within a Storm We mad love within a storm in the midst of passion and chaos somewhere, somehow our true bond of friendship was lost In the eye of the storm The rain always falls harder Those who prevail this trauma will learn 2 bring their love farther But now the storm has passed and the seas of our friendship R calm But as long as I live I will remember the love within the storm.
We mad love within a storm in the midst of passion and chaos somewhere, somehow our true bond of friendship was lost In the eye of the storm The rain always falls harder Those who prevail this trauma will learn 2 bring their love farther But now the storm has passed and the seas of our friendship R calm But as long as I live I will remember the love within the storm. – Tupac
4. What Can I Offer Her?
All of my life I dreamed of meeting one with immense beauty, and once I found her I would charm her and she’d be mine forever I have found her and indeed she is all I wished for and more but she is not charmed nor intrigued. Then I think 2 myself “What can I offer her?” The tears warm my eyes and blur my vision. I stick 2 my stance of bravado and give her the same uninterested look she gave me. She was so beautiful But what can I offer her. – Tupac
5. Jada
u R the omega of my heart The foundation 4 my conception of Love when I think of what a Black woman should be it’s u that I First think of u will never fully understand how Deeply my Heart Feels 4 u I worry that we’ll grow apart and I’ll end up losing u u bring me 2 climax without sex and u do it all with regal grace u R my Heart in Human Form a Friend I could never replace. – Tupac
6. The Tears In Cupid’s Eyes (4 Jada)
The day u chose 2 leave me u rained constantly outside In truth I swore the rain 2 be The tears in Cupid’s eyes Cupid’s Smile II I ran outside 2 feel the rain and I stayed outside awhile when the rain was done along came the sun and this was Cupid’s Smile! – Tupac
7. What I See!
With my eyes closed I can c we have a chance 2 discover ecstasy but the clouds of doubt have made u blind so u R afraid of the emotions that u may find I know that you’ve been hurt before but this is no excuse 4 u 2 ignore the seed that cupid planted, in hopes that we could sow This infant emotion deserves 2 breathe so why won’t u let it grow A neglected flower will wither and on it’s own it will surely die But with honesty, passion, and mutual respect we can soar beyond the sky So please don’t follow what u c follow the rhythm within your heart Believe in me though u cannot c what lies within the Dark. – Tupac
8. In the Midst of Passion
In the midst of passion 2 figures stand emerged in ecstasy joined hand and hand words R unnecessary feelings R heard the body takes control deaf 2 words It is at this stage that I think of u in gratitude 4 this joy u have exposed me 2 Each Day is Bright with you as the Dawn with the collapse of each night a strong bond is born In the midst of passion I remember your kiss I reminisce about your touch and suddenly miss the scent u wear and the tone of your voice Only u can be my choice In the midst of passion I c u & me Lost in constant ecstasy!! – Tupac
9. 2 People with 1 Wish
There were 2 people with one wish 2 live a Life filled with Love 2 GOD they would pray that 2gether they’d stay under the stars above But someone else made a wish at the same time on the same breath And although the wish 4 love was granted so was this evil wish 4 Death now I make a wish sealed with tears and laughter It is my wish that these 2 loves R reunited in the hereafter Hours Pass By I think of u in my arms and what it would be like 2 make love I think of u raising my SEED and what they’d be made of I think of how alone I was before u came 2 be I think of the joy I felt when u said u thought of me I’m proud 2 be the heart u choose 2 make a friend hours pass by and cupid cries until we meet again – Tupac
10. Just a Breath of Freedom (4 Nelson Mandela)
held captive 4 your politics They wanted 2 break your soul They ordered the extermination of all minds they couldn’t control 4 u the fate was far worse than just a brutal homicide They caged u like an animal and watched u slowly die inside As u Breathe your first air of freedom on the day u become a free man Raise your Regal Brow in Pride 4 now you R in God’s Hands The life of many were given so that the day would one day come That the devils in Power at Pretoria would pay for the evil crimes they’ve done – Tupac
11. For Mrs. Hawkins (In memory of Yusef Hawk)
This poem is addressed 2 Mrs. Hawkins who lost her son 2 racist society I’m not out 2 offend the positive souls only the racist dogs who lied 2 me An American culture plagued with nights like the night Yusef was killed if it were reversed it would be the work of a savage but this white killer was just strong-willed with the blood of Malcolm in my veins America will never rest if Yusef dies in vain! The Sun and the Moon Your ways R similar 2 the rays of the sun Warm 2 many but 2 strong 4 some The more u R needed the brighter u shine Watched 4 2 long and your brilliance will blind The eyes of mortal men who threaten u with doom They regret 2 c u set but it is time 4 the moon Government Assistance or My Soul It would be like a panther asking a panther hunter 4 some meat, all High school dropouts R not DUMB All unemployed aren’t lazy and there R many days I hunger But I would go hungry and homeless Before the American Government gets my soul
12. Family Tree (4 Mother)
Because we all spring from different trees we are not created equally Is the true beauty in the tree or in the vast forest in which it breathes the tree must fight 2 breed among the evils of the weeds I find greatness in the tress that grows against all odds it blossoms in darkness and gives birth 2 promising pods. I was the tree who grew from weeds and wasn’t meant 2 be ashamed I’m not in fact I am proud of my thriving family tree – Tupac
13. Or My Soul (dedicated 2 Moms)
The choice is no stranger 2 poverty your soul or Government Assistance I’m 18 in a country with no path 4 a young unaddicted Black youth with a Dream Instead I am giving the Ultimatum.
14. When Your Hero Falls (4 My Hero My Mother)
when your hero falls from grace all fairy tales R uncovered myths exposed and pain magnified the greatest pain discovered u taught me 2 be strong but I’m confused 2 c u so weak u said never 2 give up and it hurts 2 c u welcome defeat when your Hero falls so do the stars and so does the perception of tomorrow without my Hero there is only me alone 2 deal with my sorrow. your Heart ceases 2 work and your soul is not happy at all what R u expected 2 do when your only Hero falls
15. Untitled
strength is overcome by weakness Joy is overcome by Pain The night is overcome by Brightness and Love-it remains the same strength is overcome by weakness Joy is overcome by Pain The night is overcome by Brightness and Love-it remains the same
16. U R Ripping Us Apart!!! (dedicated to crack)
Before u came the triangle never broke we were bonded and melded as one But as the 2 pushed u away The one got weak and embraced u and now u R ripping us apart The worst feeling of helplessness The greatest pain has rested in my heart The vision of heaven fades My Hero has been defeated by you and now what can I do watch as u destroy us and our love is finally through I know the worst is here I feel it in my Heart u got into the circle now you’re tearing us apart!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Tupac
17. A River That Flows Forever (4 Mother) As long as some suffer The River Flows Forever As long as there is pain The River Flows Forever As strong as a smile can be The River Flows Forever And as long as u R with me we’ll ride the River Together Tears of a Teenage Mother He’s bragging about his new Jordans the Baby just ran out of milk He’s buying gold every 2 weeks the Baby just ran out of Pampers He’s buying clothes for his new girl & the Baby just ran out of medicine u ask for money for the Baby the daddy just ran out the Door – Tupac
18. Where There Is a Will…. Where there is a will there is a way 2 search and discover a better day Where a positive heart is all u need 2 Rise Beyond and succeed where young minds grow and respect each other based on their Deeds and not their color When times R dim say as I say “where there is a will There is a way!” – Tupac
19. Liberty Needs Glasses excuse me but Lady Liberty needs glasses And so does Mrs. Justice by here side Both the broads R blind as bats Stumbling thru the system Justice bumped into Mutulu and Trippin’ on Geronimo Pratt But stepped right over Oliver And his crooked partner Ronnie Justice stubbed her Big Toe on Mandela And liberty was misquoted by the Indians slavery was a learning phase Forgotten without a verdict while Justice is on a rampage 4 endangered surviving Black males I mean really if anyone really valued life and cared about the masses They’d take ’em both 2 Pen Optical and get 2 pairs of glasses – Tupac
20. How Can We Free Sometimes I wonder about this race Because we must be blind as hell 2 think we live in equality while Nelson Mandela rots in a jail cell Where the shored of Howard Beach are full of Afrikan corpses And those that do live 2 be 18 Bumrush 2 join the Armed Forces This so called “Home of the Brave” why isn’t anybody Backing us up! When they c these crooked ass Redneck cops constantly Jacking us up Now I bet some punk will say I’m racist I can tell by the way you smile at me then I remember George Jackson, Huey Newton and Geronimo 2 hell with Lady Liberty – Tupac
21. The Promise
“I will give u liberty, but first give me your spirit, This I must confiscate because the evil fear it.” I too would be afraid of passion governed by reason An open mind 2 trying times when corruption is in season The promise that they claim 2 be completely true is hypocrisy at its finest A trick 2 silence u never will I believe a promise from the masters of the Art Trickery does not succeed with those with Honest Hearts – Tupac
22. No-Win (dream poem)
Backed into a corner alone and very confused Tired of running away My manhood has been abused Not my choice 2 be so blunt But u must fight fire with flame I allowed myself 2 run once and was haunted by the shame if I must kill I will and if I must do it again I would but the situation is a no-win – Tupac
23. So I Say GOODBYE
I’m going in2 this not knowing what I’ll find but I’ve decided 2 follow my heart and abandon my mind and if there be pain I know that at least I gave my all and it is better 2 have loved and lost than 2 not love at all In the morning I may wake 2 smile or maybe 2 cry but first 2 those of my past I must say goodbye. – Tupac
Do you have any favorite Tupac Shakur poems we may have missed? Let us know in the comments.
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