Cognitive Disparity

I’ve heard people say that the hood is good but if that’s all you know then I guess you would.

My anger and frustration should be apparent being

raised in a house with a single parent

My mother isn’t really the blame but still the one taking it

She’s doing everything she can working and school just barely making it

Today was not unlike any other

being the man of the house and watching my brothers

Role models are few; there is the drunk guy on the corner

One of many sporting a wild irish rose bottle and a pair of bongos

Sitting on a blue milk crate he didn’t say much

With his red black and green medallion always in clutch

Every where I look some form of dysfunction

Alcohol played a role in each and every function

The block was hot, drugs and booze it did not stop

Every night hearing gun shot’s, lines of adults waiting for rocks

Man, it feels that we were destined to fail always something or someone to take

the wind out of our sails most of men in prison or jail

So many displaced souls whole generation with no goals

Ghetto games play out with unwritten rules

kids getting shot just for their shoes

I’ve heard people say that the hood is good

but if that’s all you know then I guess you would.

© Nov.26 2006 Terrance Ilion