Then... Now...

Then I was younger, Now, I’m OLDER! Then I was innocent, Now, I’m always GUILTY! Then I had a temper, Now, I REMEMBER! Then I had friends, Now, I have ENEMIES! Then I was a virgin, Now, I can’t stop FORNICATING! Then I loved, Now, I LOVE! Then I was ignorant, Now, I KNOW! Then I was angry, Now, I FIGHT! Then I read, Now, I WRITE! Then I fought, Now, I BOX! Then I didn’t care, Now, I CARE TOO MUCH! Then I wanted a son, Now, I have a DAUGHTER! Then I went to church, Now, I SACRIFICE! Then no one cared, Now, people actually depend on ME! Then I was judged because I was black, Now, I’m just BLACK! Then I kept getting kicked out of school, Now, I dropped OUT! Then I had no responsibilities, Now, I’m RESPONSIBLE! Then I had questions WOW, Now, I have ANSWERS! Then I had answers, Now, I have QUESTIONS! Then I had dreams, NOW I HAVE REALITY! Then I lived, Now, I LIVE! Then I had memories, NOW, I REMEMBER! Then I had a family, Now, I HAVE ME! Then I had me, Now, I have a FAMILY! Then I got married, Now, I’m DIVORCE! Then I had wealth, Now, I have NOTHING! Then I was on top of the world, Now, I’m just a MEMORY! Then I had, NOW, I HAVE! Then I sacrifice, NOW, I’m SACRIFICING! Tomorrow! I SACRIFICE! Yesterday! I SACRIFICED! Then I DIED, Now, I’m DEAD!