Family

It took me a long time to figure out

what having a family is all about.

Cursin’ me out and kickin’ me out,

from Mom’s to Dad’s to Grandma’s couch.

Wakin’ up early, leaving the house

to visit my street fam knowing my real fam

didn’t really give a damn

if I get locked up or put in a jam.

 

Family doesn’t have to be through bloodline

‘cause I got brothers that I love, but they ain’t mine.

They’ve just been there through the hard times.

I went to the streets for a family that wasn’t hard to find.

Stayin’ loyal to my brother—that ain’t hard tryin.’

I love my family like I’m gonna start cryin’.

And if I’m lyin’, then I’m dyin.’

 

T. B.

Short Fuse

Most of my homies call me lil’ dude.
I’m 5’1” with a lot to prove.

Most say I got a short fuse.

But what they don’t know is

I’ve got nothing to lose.

 

I saw Mom Dukes die in front of me.

Never had a childhood. Nobody there for me.

When I found the hood I couldn’t refuse.

I’m gonna always be that lil’ dude

with the short fuse.

 

D. J.

Child of the Ghetto

Dreams of dark nights and empty days.
Lost in an unforgiving world

where people judge you by your looks

before even getting to know you.

 

Lost in a world where twenty percent

of people don’t care about you

and eighty percent are glad you are struggling.

 

Lost in a world where you have to get it

by any means necessary to survive

in these concrete jungles.

 

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon.
I’m a child of the ghetto

raised off a different bloom.

I’m a Black man in White America

lost in an unwelcoming world.

 

M.

Young and Bold

I may be young but I’m bold.

When others are hot, I feel cold

because I’m different.

It’s been this way since I was nine years old.

 

At a young age I saw someone get stabbed and didn’t run.

While other kids wanted to play tag, I wanted a gun

because I saw people eat and couldn’t even find a crumb.

So while I sat there looking dumb, I chose to get me one.

 

My hunger is what drove me to all the trouble.

While some experience stress, my mom went through double

every time I stole anything, even though I looked so adorable.

 

I’ll never judge a book by its cover.

People are shady. That’s why I’m a fighter, not a lover.

Wanted a gun because the streets wanted to separate

me and my mother.

 

D. F.

What is Fear

What is fear?

Does it glow in the dark?

Is it shadows in the light?

Will I know when it’s here?

 

What is fear?

Is it life without hope?

Is it a world without a joke?

Will I know when it’s near?

 

What is fear?

Is it what makes us cry?

Is it what makes us not try?

Does it whisper in our ear?

 

What is fear?

Does it control all my moods?

Does it give me bad news?

Is it what makes my face blue?

 

Fear can be scary.

Sometimes it comes unexpected,

but don’t be scared…

just check it.

 

Whatever it’s called

fear’s nothing new

so when fear comes around to you

you’ll know just what to do.

 

Fear is pretty basic.

When it comes you can face it.

Stand tall, face your fear,

and when your done you can erase it.

 

R. W.

If I Could Walk in YOUR Shoes...

If I could walk in your shoes,

I would have realized the importance of being free.

If I could walk in your shoes,

I would analyze the mistakes I made in my life.

If I could walk in your shoes,

I would always look forward and never look back,

look to my future and never make the same mistakes again.

 

If I could walk in your shoes,

I would make a change in my life.

If I could walk in your shoes,

I would protect my freedom as necessary to live.

 

A. A.

Hope Is...

Hope is a rose that grew from concrete,

a candle lit in the darkest abyss.

 

Hope is what wakes a mother

again and again all night

though she can’t see an end.

 

Hope is being down for the count

but not tapping out,

and doing what you have to do

to make it through a drought.

 

Hope is what puts a smile on a mother’s face

even after being put out of her place.

 

Hope is the miracle of life

that warms you in the bitter cold of night.

 

Hope is…

B.