I lost my father far too early
Not to death, but to a failed life
My brother is hardly much of a guide
He too seems to take after my father
Distant, ignorant
And easily taken by the call of nothing
Role models are everywhere
But what are they suggesting
I become
Drug dealers, pimps, sell outs
Rappers, shooters, fighters
Media sensations, Hollywood’s creations
Nothing of value, nothing of matter
And their pockets are enviable
Their stardom unattainable
But their journey to the top
Relatable
Just a young black guy
From southwest Baltimore
Just a young black guy
Who decided to be more
Than the black hoodies
That lined my streets
To be one step better, never commit crimes
And I won’t need to be caught by police
Just a young black guy
Writing instead of rioting
Writing instead of fighting
Writing instead…
You know what, I actually am
I don’t pick up a weapon
But I break your soul in two
I’ve never touched a grenade
But my shrapnel is already inside you
My pain is yours now
My loss is yours now
So too is my recovery
So too is my victory
I’m walking against the grain of time
And made us better
I’m fighting the holders of our vague future
The politics, the media, and the immature
Those who say what is will always be
Those who say that god does not exist
Because we cannot see him
