I come from a middle-class family of six

With even a half sister thrown in the mix.

My life was secure with a mother at home

But I left with my heart longing to roam.

I was seventeen and out on my own

But soon found out that I was very alone.

I tried to get welfare but wasn’t of age

I found myself trapped in a political cage.

I looked for a job, but all I could find

Was a coffee shop where poor people dined.

The hours were long, the pay was too small

My feet hurt so much, I thought I would fall.

I’d quit high school so I could run and play

How could I know I’d regret it one day?

Only a low income wage could I make

With my legs and back always to ache.

So I went back to school, now I’m in debt.

I feel like a fish that’s caught in a net.

For no matter how hard I look and try

I won’t land a good job unless I lie.

If companies want some experience

I don’t understand how that makes sense.

How can you gain without even the chance

You must learn to walk before you can dance.

So I beg the government if you will

You can’t just offer us people a skill

We need a job to gain the experience,

Or else we’ll end up on social assistance.