The Color of Flowers

By Phictitous5

the party has never ended -
lights have dimmed in our room.
we dreamed every molecule
living and dying by every hand that touched our shoulder.
stones skipping further for each time they touch the bottom
still coming up for air while it is hot.

whole worlds reminisced
closed open doors at the touch of a key
miscounting the days, collecting changes
to the tune of longer walks outside

pedestrian ears have the freedom to discern
empty-handed grasping as three handed clapping
muted desolation to a beat
that could mean anything.
pray, and tell - i couldn’t explain.

water seeps through the cracks
and washes away everything that has fallen
warped beyond recognition
harried into acceptance

we cant remember what we lost
yet could see all the signs
that someone was here.
so much was done and said
there is no wonder why time flies.

white platinum silvers become more defined
brushstrokes streak the darkness
behind closed eye lids
the textures of the atmosphere
growing in appreciation - blamelessly
from end to end stretched across the forest floor.

more and more boxes
higher and higher boundaries
these expressions standing in spite of these things
rocking intensely - self stimulating intently
drawing bigger pictures
acknowledging this as the fantasy
along with the freedom to imagine it
be it though not madness
as i stand before you
rather what parts of me are still arriving.

it would have to be a night like this
becoming morning
where it has all but stopped
to challenge the words to come
beginning the long walk home
before it is gone. 

credits

released July 13, 2026

MUSIC/LITERATURE -
Zachary Hines, II as PHIctitious5

DESIGN -
floral arrangement/composition: Savannah Kerrick
www.savannahkerrickfineart.com
photography: Kadija Corinaldi
www.naldiphotography.com
property stylist: Jay JFRE
sites.google.com/view/jayjfre/home?authuser=1

album recorded at:
AudibleHeaT Studios
Portsmouth, Virginia
www.audibleheat.com

©FORTRESSES 2026

We are living in our best life

by Zachary hines, II

all of the flavors have come to hang out together
a medley - exquisite tastes

leaving behind a memory beckoned upon in times
recalling the finest moments we have spent
chimes shimmering in the wind
shared deep breaths.

clattering of mug and stein
more space for whom we wanted to see
room for other unexpected arrivals
a living dream of future celebration
aboard our fellowship.

our footsteps dig into the rooftop tiles
jumping from third place to place
sounds of thrilling expedition
to nowhere new
and anywhere else but here

it will feel like home
where we are warmed
by the loss of time
and the forgetting of days.

credits

released February 6, 2026

Wishful Thinking

by Zachary Hines, II

peeking from shuttered blinds
knowing, laughing, and smiling
aging, hanging on
for those who have gone
we could continue to play.

the revolutions have risen
and homes have been built
on what was once scorched earth
from freedom fighting.

banners to tattered bandannas
leaning on an old spear pole
too many voices fill the peace

whistling winds and city centers
beneath the heat
watering the garden's flowers.

credits

released August 20, 2025

Dream Sequence

by FORTRESSES

from where we are standing

i could never have told you
until now - that where and how we met
we will continue to meet,
the turning of a cycle.

to rest at the foot of the mountain

released October 23, 2019

Available on all streaming services.

The introduction

by FORTRESSES

How can I tell this story of mine
In a way you can understand
Would you believe a single word
Or only what you see

A vision of love brought to life by music
A voice on the wind that breathes
A ripple in time made still for a moment
We start at the end

released September 20, 2019

Available on all streaming services.

YN​Ç​MMÉ

by PHIctitious5

20th Album Produced by PHIctious5

though we continually return to the ends of our earths
considering that light doesn't know how short its life is -
to be perceived spells the ends of it.

the legends of lights landing where we see them,
that we hasten our lives as lights -
photons, and what not
preparing our instant to be realized
through a lens or two.

reflecting down a hall, gathering heat
piercing a hole in the clouds
an interpretation
flickering and blinking

stars have lived and died
by the time we see them.

YOU NEVER COULD
MATCH MY ENERGY

credits

released December 31, 2024

ENSEMBLE "FORTRESSES + associated acts"

The ACE
Avery Merchant
Brendan Hawkins
Cay
CHORDER
CJ Payne
Ebony Diamond
Ethan Twiddy
IMAN
Ja'Markkus Evans
Jay JFRE
JAZZO
Jibreel Johnson
Kassandra Wright
Khalif Bryant
Lawrence Sawyer
LUVLY
Mr. Chromatic
RICE
Shallah St. Leger
Syrok Foxx
Xavier Hendon
Zachary Hines, II
Zzy Nito

GILGAMESH

by LUVLY + Zachary Hines, II

the chill of the peak
defies the melting heat
of these days, we have become so familiar.
the skies open wide as promised
the hallowed canyons roar
from the native vibrations.
descendants - torchlit warriors
bear witness to the sun swinging clear
like revealing trick mirrors.

addressing a score, in an instant.
an observation, a grieving, an assignment.

what elsewhere prowls forgotten street corners
where many have lived and lied about living these lives.
a silent acceptance of positioning
makes the air quiver - thoroughfares
become serene vistas where tomorrows seldom come.
awaken this unknown thing -
that the sagas continue in the place
where wars were fought in the minds
of every bystander who...  more

credits

released August 8, 2024

LUVLY: production, performance, lyrics/vocals
[https://linktr.ee/lifeofluvly]
Zachary Hines, II: composition, performance

OASIS

BY FORTRESSES

the storms become more calming
worlds wildly shifting into newfound resting places
calling and responding to changes
for the times when we rested and stayed awhile
now, in repose - preparing.
something we have never seen before
there has been an awakening
as we witness the opening of the skies.

credits

released April 8, 2024

ENSEMBLE
Zachary Hines, II - Keyboards, Vibraphone
Lawrence Sawyer - Drums, Steel Pan

ATTRITION

by Zachary Hines, II

in our own lifetime a change comes
asking us to abandon all that we knew.

we have found ourselves in a new world -
what from our rediscovered past
do we look upon fondly?

burying fortune.

credits

released January 28, 2024

sound of stillness

by Zachary Hines, II

recalling memories in unfamiliar surroundings -
times passing through the hall
with the breeze.

signals flickering
signs of life in the distance
preparing room for the predestined arrival

charting course for the next expedition.

credits

released September 6, 2023

PRESSURE

18th Album Produced by PHIctious5

byproducts of empty promises
collapsing of dream-worlds

here we come into tomorrows
with our eyes closed
and hearts wide open.

a continued manifestation
time, waiting for no one.

measured responses to disbelief
bright flames pierce the sky
signaling living and dying.

credits

released January 1, 2023

Available on Bandcamp

The tower

16th Album Produced by Phictitious5

in the wilderness at twilight, forces of nature return to the dreams of the minerals and flora. unturned stones roll as the trees whisper secrets with shivering branches.
our planes endure great change - but none unlike what our creator has seen. our works outlast even ourselves; emanations, reaching unknown souls, beyond our lifetime.
here we are, together in the stars -
completing our assignments on the surface

credits

released September 6, 2022

songs composed by Zachary Hines, II (Phictitious5)

featured alto saxophone solo on "totals" by Ja'markkus Evans

Available on bandcamp.

Cantaloupe

this is the description to the project
"CANTALOUPE."
3 tracks featuring VIRGINIA SLIM
- cantaloupe
- tell me what you felt
- harvest moon

CREDITS

released on September 10th, 2022

songs composed by Zachary Hines, II (Phictitious5)

Available on all streaming services.

muse

this is the description to the project
"MUSE"
3 tracks featuring Zachary Hines, II
- the feeling you get
- let me save this
- judgement theme

credits

released September 20, 2022

Available on all bandcamp.

pearl city

15th Album Produced by Phictitious5

credits

released January 1, 2022

ENSEMBLE
Zachary Hines, II
Syrok Foxx
Jay Jfre
S Dot Hoffa
LUVLY
Farah Elle
Flowbee Wan
Mizloonar
Ja'markkus Evans
Delona Bean
Zero Tolerance

Available on bandcamp.

Last Leg

14th Album Produced by Phictitious5

everything rising to the surface
has no choice but to come together
we have only been asked to be prepared.

the final warning has been issued,
through love we will find the acceptance
needed to pass into the new era
that has already arrived.

it is predestined, our evolution -
you have dreamed of this,
we have met before in a place
i can only agree with you.

what is left besides
what is already understood?

ENTERING THE
MAIN TIMELINE.

credits

released December 21, 2020

FORTRESSES
Its Tha Koncept
Jay JFRE
Mama P
Parrish Majestic
Poetry Jackson
Q5
Sable Lick'ore

all songs composed and produced by
Zachary Hines, II AKA PHIcitious5
on teenage instruments OP1 Sampler
and Roland FA06 Keyboard Workstation

A Dark Age

11th Album Produced by Phictitious5

eternal work enduring
across the fields before the gates
a cooling wind
prepares us for the sun
as it rises - on the fall of every step

we have prepared for this moment
in the distance your love is with me
be it only a memory
for once we have lived

the end of a dark age
keys in hand - golden gates
as the structure herself
only a matter of the times

this may be many things
but in this moment
this is for you

SELAH

credits

released December 31, 2017

TaiWo | Sable Lick'ore | Q5 | Zachary Hines, II | Sendora | Its Tha Koncept | Z.NALEDI

Available on Bandcamp.

I LOVE YOU / AND IT HURTS

8th Album Produced by Phictitous5

our presence on earth
only symbolizes the dance in heaven
we share in our dreams
your rhythms groove everlasting
every footstep of yours i hear
a trembling beneath my lungs
prelude a hollowing of my soul
as i request a truth
that will set my world on fire

credits

released August 15, 2016

Zachary L. Hines, II | FORTRESSES | Lawrence Sawyer | SYA | Raymond Spence | DeShawn Mays | Michael Johnson | ChaVonne Whisonant | Eleanore Woodburn | DRED | Parrish Majestic | Dorvilier Olivier | A*VALID | Elle Boogie