Capturing the unrivaled passion and candor that made him one of America's bestselling solo recording artists, this collection of poetry offers a glimpse into Shakur's enigmatic life and its intense contradictions. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

YA-A collection of poetry written by the rapper between 1989 and 1991, before he became famous. The poems are passionate, sometimes angry, and often compelling. Selections are reproduced from the originals in Shakur's handwriting, personalized by distinctive spelling and the use of ideographs (a drawing of an eye for I, etc.), and complete with scratch outs and corrections. With the exception of "In the Event of My Demise," all of the pieces are accompanied by typed text, which leaves his spelling intact. Some poems are also accompanied by his drawings. A few black-and-white photographs appear throughout. A preface by Shakur's mother, a foreword by Nikki Giovanni, and an introduction by his manager, Leila Steinburg, in whose writing group the poems were written, complete this unique volume.-Susan Salpini, Purcellville Library, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

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

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