Clarity by Francis Arevalo

VERSE 1
It's not a comeback but I'm here now
because it's clear how, I used to live in fear, shed tears
disappear, act weird, and be confused in my mind
i would put up smoke and mirrors like everything’s fine
i learned to hide when i was scared of everything i could be
til that became my response whenever i was perceived
still hurting but I'm free, not perfect but I'm me
i am worthy, i believe, i am sure what i can be
now i’m present in the present day
so when the music has a message, better let it play
every action has a reaction, i know the stakes
i know i made my choices, I'm more than my mistakes, this like a PSA
i’m 33 now and i’ve learned some things, useful ish
Remember rapping when dad’s old Pippen jersey used to fit
Remember hooping at the cage til the dudes would quit
Remember hopping on the stage like you were used to it
damn, this feels like starting over, with a blank slate
and i can still get overwhelmed by a blank page
and somedays i see a crowd with a blank face
i trust that i’ve changed, finally understand shame
look into the mirror now, what do I see?
the eyes and heart of a man who is finally at peace
been rhyming his whole life but the timing is grand
now the pen of his youth meets the mind of a man

i found clarity
x4

VERSE 2:
there’s healing in the hardship any hurt can bring
and me, i can find doubt in the surest thing
and worse, my curse is that i flirt with dreams
but now, it finally feels like the first of spring
you know, i used to wanna be great out of spite
and be the kind of kid everyone liked, and say everything right
now i just wanna see what it’s like
to love life on the mic and finally be me in the light
i’m too old to be foolish and hurried,
yet too young to be jaded and worried
now this song feels like halftime where i am far from a final score
closer to my core but i’m far from my final form
i wanna be both well-known and known well
and never need to ride on someone else’s coattails
if dubs take Ls, now i’ll forge ahead and go fail
go flail, and go live stories i can go tell

I found clarity
x4



VERSE 3:
Greatness takes reps, clarity takes steps
don’t sweat, don’t fret if you ain’t there yet
so imma stay soft-hearted and hard-headed, with sharp senses
stay warm and won’t harden under harsh pressure
i excavate the pain i placed in my bars
i forgot to celebrate, i kept raising the bar
so i stopped trying to reach for the stars, maybe i am one too
i reach within, and be someone that i can run to
too many things to everyone else
til i was stretched too thin, with nothing for myself
cuz the capacity for love i have to give is immense
but my desire to be loved is equal to its depth
maybe the test is in the life that we choose to lead
and the love that we love but still choose to leave
i know that ain’t the kind of movie that we’re used to seeing
but at the end of the day, i’m always choosing me

I found clarity
x4

VERSE 4:
some might have forgotten bout me, but i’m still walking proudly
…cuz i never forgot about me, say it loudly
long days since the ways I used to rap at school
i’m grown now but still liable to act a fool
used to confuse what i produce, with my inner worth
unlearning what doesn’t serve me is my inner work
couldn’t admit the grind’s been wearing me thin
i wouldn’t say the kinds of games that i was caring to win
maybe it’s not the bipolar that’s depressing me now
but capitalism and the system that is stressing me out
from gameboys and little toys as a boy, i’ve aged
see, i’m in the game now, but this boy don’t play
If it’s your calling, it will keep calling
…and if you’re overcautious, you will keep stalling
so I’m back to being me, freely, and making my growth visible
staying super effective at keeping my hits critical
somewhere between care, sharing, therapy, and having fam
there for me, grit, belief and work, i found clarity
yeah I got love around, but clear as can be
there’s no one here to save me, i’m the hero i need
yeah, i’ve dropped a few projects, barely gave them a push
but still got a little pull, i’m grateful for the looks
now we’re here, let every reflection be a mirror that
allows me to see my truth, proof i can listen back
tell your stories like somebody needs em
cuz i know i need mine just to keep believing
so shoutout to every fan that’s still rocking with me
and the fam i hold close always talking to me
i found clarity
x4
i’ve heard the best writing
comes from the clearest thought
i’ve heard the best writing
comes from the clearest thought, well, let’s see

• Hip-Hop/Rap
• Vancouver