both sides of the blade

I paint pain pretty, Picasso with the pity Had a dark past, I made ghosts outta gritty They said “rest in peace,” I just took it as advice Now I sleep on doubts, wake up dreamin’ in a vice Roll the dice twice, snake eyes still nice I made luck from the curse, now the gamble feels right I been jokin’ with the devil, got him laughing’ at the punchline He was sellin’ me a deal, I restructured all the fine lines Fine wine mindset, age better with the pressure Turn storms into diamonds, bad weather is in my dresser They tried boxin’ me in, now I think outside the coffin Dead serious bars but I laugh when I’m talkin’ I got skeletons pop locking, they be dancin’ in my closet Said “we proud of your growth,” I said “watch me make a profit” From the pain I deposit, interest buildin’ off the trauma Now I’m cashin’ out wisdom, generational karma I’m a paradox product, mix of chaos and control Got a halo made of horns, still I’m whole in my soul Playful with the pen but I’m surgical precise Cut a joke so sharp it leave you doubled from the slice I been broke, been a clown, been the butt of the jest Now I’m laughin’ to the bank while I’m dressed in my stress Turn anxiety to art, every panic a pattern the madness got a method, watch me juggle what matters then Confidence loud but it whispers in the mirror “my reflection made me insecure , now I’m in the clearer” Fear used to steer my life now it ride in the back I don’t run from the dark I bring light to attack I been playin’ with the shadows, now they copy my stance Every step coordinated like I’m leadin’ a dance Grim reaper on hold, “I’ll call you in a minute” Got some goals to accomplish, I ain’t dyin’ ‘til I win it Wordplay wizard, got spells in the syntax Turn a loss to a lesson, now I flex with the mishaps Sixth sense flow, I can see through the fear Make a joke outta pain, now the punchline is clear They said “tone it down,” I said “volume is growth” I was silent too long, now I’m loud with the oath Swore to never fold, origami my limits getting paper cuts while I’m stackin’ my winnings Playful but I’m potent, like a prank with a purpose Leave ‘em laughin’ then thinkin’, that’s the art of the circus From the dark to the dawn, I been writin’ my thesis Life a joke and a test I just mastered both pieces