A boy sits alone in his room as tears well up in his eyes.
He wonders why decisions he makes cause his momma to cry.

On guard as news traveled through the neighborhood in 360 ticks.
His best friend got accused of murder and street justice responded quick.

Deserve has little to do with the pecking order in East Oakland.
It's guilty until proven innocent which could have you on the wrong end of metal smoking.

Education was and is still the best way to excel if you can take the constant chiding.
Making an effort to rise up and hit the books instead of hitting people out there hoo riding.

Sticking to the various codes of your hood, your click respects you as down & skilled.
When you get caught they don't remember your name, your face or blood that you've spilled.

Heat holders & money folders always paranoid & looking over your shoulder.
Momma doesn't cry for you anymore because you've grown older and act cold to her.

Who do you Love and now who Loves you?
Alienated the one that would have always been unconditionally true.

The bounty on your life just grew due to guilt by association.
Time in the county doesn't really sound very much like an alternate vacation.

Borrowed moments seem to be running short of breathe.
Tomorrow is today only difference is we get to see what's coming next.

In the shadows of our mind we are culpable for the wrong we do.
Not getting caught now just means the judgment will come from some other trouble you brew.

You take a drive in your scraper with your music blasting.
Go to your moms house to help her out with a favor she's been asking.

Pull up in front like the worlds your oyster and you sit on top.
Duck and cover when the wheels screech and the gunshots pop.

Check your body making sure there was no penetration from the shots fired.
Go in your mothers house to find that your moms life has expired.

Suddenly a rush of thoughts and emotion brings you to your knees as you again start crying.
Hitting the books would have been easier & safer than being out there hoo riding!!!

Nice write I don't miss the hood at all

Good observations and lessons there, brwnkimba

Struggling out of the ghetto is no easy ride. Anyone who makes it out has shown extreme strength

I have never been where you speak about but have heard and my heart goes out to those that get tangle within that web. They see no other way at the time but.........to join in with the others. If only they were shown a glimpse of what could be and they focused on that. It is sad but so many get caught in that web of destruction........good write...

Thank you wannacuddlewthme, Dragoness & TxsGal3333 you dropped a BOMB on me BABY

Nice . . .life is hard at times, especially in the hood

Man this is what I would call a rightous joint....Growing up in the hood and going back to visit you mama cause she won't move is always an experience. You captured the feel of that in this write.....Peace

nice piece

Thank you mig25
the radiant MzEm
and Bro kc0003

Thanks for the glimpse of what that lifestyle is like...you capture it well

midwest girl here who grew up in the cornfields.

Ahh A child of the corn,

Thanks for the 411