204800
Through back alleyways
Where after dark no one stays
A shallow river flows through,
Coming from the streets where
Driveby and Ricochet meet
Lays the dead end Bulletvard Avenue.
Hued cobblestone and stained curbs
In stark contrast to its sister burbs
Paint a portrait of death and despair,
On the other side of Broadway
Intermingle souls, saved and astray
Front daily lives with stone stares.
Abandominiums with needs
Overrun by tenants without deeds
Staking claims like newly settled land,
Folks forming short term alliances
Easily broken by multiple defiances
No sense of equality, just better than.
Good samaritans who eye success
With words of wisdom try their best
To help souls in wanting
Before it’s too late for them to see
A way out of their reality
Before cops or kingpins come hunting.
But hooked on power
‘Cause they sellin’ the powder
Like they’re the ones running things
Blind to the fact that
Attached to their arms and backs
Ain’t nothing but a bunch of strings.
Lacking the faith to believe
Disregarding loved one’s pleas
Thinking they’re making a statement.
Claiming they’re in control
Have unknowingly sold their souls
Only to be pimped on the pavement.
With so many lives having been taken
Due to endless hearts breaking
From death tolls and prison rates rising,
This abomination must be ended
In order for lives to be mended
And families can finally stop crying.
We all share in the responsibility of change
Whether at a distance or close range
To keep souls from fading with the setting sun,
So let us unite to make new ways
And keep the negativity away
So no more crimson will run.
Are you with me?
1/22/19
