I close my eyes
And all that I see,
Are dirty walls
Closing in on me
I see a father
The woman beater,
Cornbread cooking
On a wooden heater
Trying to mop
A frozen floor,
Can’t get seconds,
There is no more
Sitting by the tv
Not allowed to laugh
No clothes for school
Or paper for class
Always dreaming
Of a brand new life,
A house taken over
By roaches and mice
Sisters to love
And never hate,
Not allowed calls
Or ever go on dates
Baby sister whining
No food to eat
Only painted faces
No mask for trick or treat
Cotton field choppers
In big straw hats
No pet dog
Only stray cats
Blues playing softly
Fingers loudly popping
Grown Women swaying
Old men are bopping
Yellow school bus
Rolling down the street
Big pot of beans
There is no meat
I open my eyes
And all that I see
A whole new life
A brand new me!