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.
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