Subways, taxis and trains are New York's tourists
Their windows noticing graffiti on concrete walls
Bricks are jigsaw puzzles scattered with spray paint
The art of "Taggers" seem thoughtless to eyes of the city
abstract letters pass these hazel eyes at a fast tempo
leaving behind a growing wonder about graffiti ed names
"Misunderstood." they screamed dying to be heard.
Only the ghosts of the artists lost soul seemed to listen.
Eyes studied hard at the offense that dared be called art
listening for a whisper that shows stories of shattered pasts.
painted lines were drawn as directions on maps to the artists heart
modern day hieroglyphics from people with ancient and worn souls,
wishing to make a mark in the world
I guess we all try and find a way to be heard.
2 million people breathe the air of New York
day by day it passes through their lungs in rhythm
No one could hear it's music over the heavy traffic
Yet someone in it's maze of crowds creates art
And is heard.
The Street Performers create graffiti with instruments
The New York Times graffiti with ink on fragile paper.
Models and Stars graffiti with pixels on Times Square
Tourists graffiti with footprints they leave as they tour
The chefs of local cafes graffiti with rich sauces and taste
The business men graffiti with graphs and stock shares
Doctors graffiti with stitches in the lives they save
Soldiers graffiti with gunfire that rings with freedom
writers graffiti with their veins they pour into words
Yet these taggers all have something in common
Heartbeats and lungs that wonder what to live for
New york is a city easy to lose oneself in
between the narrow streets and skyscrapers.
But the city is small compared to this big world
It's no wonder we graffiti our names into it
At this moment 7,284,331,343 names are signed on birth certificates
a contract vowing "To Live." beyond what our lungs can expand.
Photos we take, hearts we give, hearts we break, and words we write
These are graffitied on every surface of what makes us human
Hoping one day someone with searching eyes will notice our artwork
Wanting to know the story behind the paint on our walls that are put up
to know of the heartbreak and the way the artist's heart beats and feels
To understand the "Misunderstood" soul behind the abstract shapes
I guess its about finding someone who appreciates art
That's when we know we've been heard.
To taggers everywhere, keep signing your name
You deserve to be heard.
