Child of the Ghetto
Born a beautiful child with dark brown skin, but my life was rough
so where do I begin?
My daddy left me when I was two, I became a Thug what else could
I do?
Destined to lose right out the gate, my life was filled with anger and
hate.
My mother did the best she could, but it was really tough in
my neighborhood.
My only role models were Pimps and Thugs, at fourteen years old I
took two slugs.
I decided education was not for me, I never knew what I wanted to
be.
By fifteen I decided to leave home, I was really scared and all
alone.
With no skills how would I survive? I couldn’t get no nine-to-
five!
I started hanging out with the wrong crowd, but robbin’ and stealin’
didn’t make me proud.
Drugs and alcohol helped me with my pain, there was never sun-
light always rain.
I spent some of my youth incarcerated, Society’s monster was
now created.
I began to realize that crime wasn’t paying, I wanted to change you
see what I’m saying?
The last time I was released from prison, I knew I had to make the
right decision.
I finished school and got my education, staying out of trouble
took lots of dedication.
My mother once said to never let go, just because you were born a
“child of the Ghetto.”
Copyright © Gary Tavares | Year Posted 2006
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment