THE PATH I TAKE

EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP,

EAT BREAKFAST AND DRESS MY SELF

AND GET READY TO WALK THE STREETS OF SIN AND TERROR

KEEPING MY EYES ON THE GLOOMY ASPHALT GROUND BELOW

TOO SCARED TO JUDGE

AND FEARING FOR MY LIFE

AS THEY GLANCE AT MY PAINTED LIPS

AND EBONY HAIR WHICH SHIELDED THE SHAMEFUL COLOR OF MY CHEEKS

OH, YOU KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT

SHIRTLESS MEN INTOXICATED FROM TOO MUCH ALCOHOL,

YOUNG RUFFIANS HOLDING CIGARETTES IN THEIR HANDS,

WEEPING WOMEN SELLING THEIR BODIES TO EARN A LIVING,

AND LOUD NEIGHBORS SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER.

ALL IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

AND YET, I KEEP MY HEAD LOWERED AND MY EARS COVERED,

AFRAID TO INTERVENE

AFRAID TO CALL FOR HELP

AFRAID OF BEING JUDGED

AFRAID FOR BEING TOO YOUNG

AND AFRAID OF BEING LATE FOR SCHOOL.