William Travance
Artist Statement
I believe the best way in which to describe my music is — intimate.
These two pieces speak to the intimacy that I’ve been able to find, within the space I like to describe as my “solitude and seclusion”, taken from one of my favorite poets, Kahlil Gibrahn. This space is spiritual and represents much more than my physical place of incarceration. My music is an artistic expression of love, loss, struggle, and redemption.
“I Wish” is a song that was written for my son, who transitioned into pure spirit before he had gotten a chance to hear what I like to call his anthem.
The song “Caught” is a reckoning with the truth of my current position in society and my resolve to move forward and upward — in spite of.
In conclusion, I am honored to have my art brought before you all, in accompaniment with Renovare, for what we in the Hip-Hop culture refer to as “the remix”. I believe that it is fitting to have this and all music explored and expanded upon.
And, I am, once again, honored to have my words and their sentiment expressed in this space — for contemplation and for your listening pleasure.
I genuinely thank Rebecca and Lalia, whom I consider to be allies, for this wonderful opportunity — and all of you as well. Thank you so much!
Sincerely Respectful,
William Travance
Caught
My perception from a prison cell
is that the inner workings of a man’s mind
can take him through the depth of hell;
but, at the same time, the truth of the insane mind
paints a perfect picture of exactly where the system failed.
I refuse to fail.
My struggle to prevail is tooth and nail.
As you can tell, I still got a truth to tell.
And be it opposition, consequences, I remain optimistic.
Fact of the matter is I did it to myself.
With just a little help, because the cards were dealt
From the bottom of the deck where disrespect is felt.
To the point, a man will disrespect himself.
Where by any means, the goal is to protect himself.
Not trying to see the business end of a trajected shell,
Or be the bottom-line statistic for projected wealth.
Recidivism is a train going off the rails.
Caught in corrections, where corrections can’t correct themselves.
I’m caught in the wake of my mistakes.
Standing under consequences, this is day for day.
Got a few demons still hard for me to shake,
But I can taste freedom and I refuse to break.
Under dim light, I spend nights penning life trying to find some type of insight,
Into a situation with no promised end in sight,
Within an institution built upon men and mice.
Of men and mice, by mice and men.
Who moved the cheese, insanity over and over again.
Few really know me, cause to know me is to know where I’ve been
Juxtaposed to the hold I had upon the Henn [Hennessey].
Still reaching for my inner self, there’s a struggle within.
My solitude and seclusion brought me to who I am.
Sometimes your ego will cheat you when emotions deceive you.
The realest thing I said to self is that “I don’t believe you.”
Then I faced years, embraced tears,
Let my soul bleed through this pen, William Shakespeare.
My life’s comedy, I have no plans on staying here,
At the bottom of the rung where they ain’t playing fair.
I’m caught in the wake of my mistakes.
Standing under consequences, this is day for day.
Got a few demons still hard for me to shake,
But I can taste freedom and I refuse to break.
Why try to bury me when I’m very much alive.
So many have tried to bury me, but I’m very much alive.
Dirt thrown on the sarcophagus that encases my very soul,
As if my flesh has turned to stone and my tattoos are now
engravings of a man here lies.
Concrete walls and wire fences have been mistaken for my tomb.
My future recurrence is as vague as the afterlife.
Nobody knows when, like the coming of Christ.
Images of my past self still hang on walls,
Sit atop of empty fireplaces, and lost inside of photo albums
Like obituaries and funeral programs.
My eulogy is still occasionally spoken in front of “real talk”
Behind double shots of straight liquor,
And above the buzzing of barber shop clippers.
Yeah, I remember William…He was…
No, very much alive I am…the now, the forever,
And the extension of yesterday!
Although I’m one with the spirit, you are not hearing voices.
Although I speak from a place beyond the grave, I am not dead.
Very much alive!
My cell is not my soul, so my circumference is boundless.
The dead have not the ability to wrestle with life, loss, fear of failure.
Only to concede to self-affliction, then reverse the chokehold on regret
And proceed to tap-out all that’s forgiven.
Scarred, but still breathing…
I looked love in the eye and i asked…are we even?
And she replied…you’re still alive…aren’t you?
Very much so.
I Wish
Pressure busts pipes, but also produces diamonds.
Spontaneous combustion, compression over time,
And the laws are absolute, application, self defining.
Never what’s implied, but what are you applying.
From the dawn of comprehension, I’ve given you these instances.
Taught you life is choice, but choices are what you’re dealing with.
Let no habit hold you back, get rid of it.
I’m twelve steps removed from the ‘gnac [cognac], but still spilling it.
Giving you these grapes to make wine or vinegar.
Bigger than me and your sister, bro’, know you remember the time that
I told you that it would be us regardless.
Wire, brick and steel, still us regardless.
Took the trial, took the charges, judge pulled the whole carpet.
Can’t escape your face, you took it the hardest,
But you took it the farthest.
Though your heart is still hardened,
I wish you every pain for growth, even if I cause it.
I wish for you, the pain that’ll grow you
The pressure that’ll mold you
A love that’ll throw you, hold you, console you.
I wish for you the strength that’ll keep you
The courage that’ll lead you
I wish these things for you
True Kings are never born, but raised and cultivated.
You’re the greatest illustration of my dreams and aspirations.
Like I’m David, singing song and praises, asking for favor for my son.
Lord, hold his head when the rain comes.
And when the pain comes, may he never blame none.
Come what may come, may he be the same one.
Jubilation, tribulation, he the same one.
Steady hand understands where he came from;
And how we came up, how tragedy became us.
Family hang-ups, insanity became love.
We loss some, even blood on the way up.
Weighing in the balance, even blood didn’t weigh-up.
This is way up, beyond the minds of the foolish.
Judas and Brutas will abound where the truth is.
Truth is, it’s somewhat illusive
But you got to go through this
And what I wish for you is…
I wish for you, the pain that’ll grow you
The pressure that’ll mold you
A love that’ll throw you, hold you, console you.
I wish for you the strength that’ll keep you
The courage that’ll lead you
I wish these things for you
This wisdom for these days, to trust your mind and your heart.
Lessons from my mistakes, helped me guide you this far
The blessings God will create that brings a love that’s anew
So you can trust and believe
That I wish these things for you
So many things I want to tell you
As I watch you take to this life.
How mine has been a blessing,
Being able to show you my wrongs and rights.
Not telling what to do, but telling you the truth.
Like, the golden rule is to never quit, we see all things through.
And to survive is just the basics, but to provide is man’s life elevated.
There are two types of lives led and that’s the dead and the dedicated.
I’m persuaded that fear and procrastination are correlated.
Knowing now that the true key to greatness
Is not just knowledge of the truth, but how we choose to face it.
The greatest mistake is a love misplaced.
And, you’ll never know her worth if yours is being laid to waste.
Please understand that everything you touch is not made to taste;
And, no one true pleasure is to be sought day to day,
Except that which is God’s grace.
Seize the day, as if your tomorrows will be never,
And your yesterdays will remain forever.
Because, one day, this shall come to pass,
So let it be your life’s task…
Life, love, legacy, destiny…
I wish these things for you