I remember as a young child
I used to get paid my allowance money
To water our crops of marijuana
I remember lots of ganja
I remember we used to live way out in the woods
And I used to play with a pack of wolves
I remember singing John Lennon songs in our kitchen
Like we were living an outlaw fairytale
Well, our story didn't end happily ever after
First it needed more chapters
I come home one day
And I see red
My dad dead on the floor, he was k**ed
Than my mom became mentally ill
I was adopted than unwanted by my stepdad
I was kidnapped, taken back than abandoned at
The trailer shack of my grandmamma who was addicted to drama
We was dirt poor, perpetually searching for
Hope a home and happiness
Who disappointment became anger pointed at me y'all
I've been called it all from dumb to ugly
Still I love my family and I know they love me
A survived my childhood I must be lucky
But I am not alone
Many of you who hear my poem
And many many more who
Have lived lives, harder than mine
We are the the lost children
I'm just one of millions
Yeah we've walked down those
Unknown roads, with bumps, dead ends and potholes
So their are scares on our souls
And if we allow ourselves to heal they can glow
Like rainbows after a storm
Please listen to me
We must dance with our demons
If we want to start dreaming a future
Because I remember screaming from seeing
My mom beaten her blood bleeding
Splashed a graffiti mask on my face
I remember how my mom's blood taste
I was 8
I love my fate
So I ask you to remember
When you were teased in the 8th grade
Remember when you lived where it wasn't safe to play
Remember the sound of escape
When you'd scrape your plate
Hungry since all you ate
Was a can of chili split 3 ways
Remember all that liquer your dad would drink
His face of rage, his fist of hate
Remember those beatings you'd take
Remember when your parents seperated
Remember when your mom died of aids
Remember when you were raped
We are the children whose memories paint
Pictures of pain
I refrain, cuz we are the children
Who will brake those chains
And learn from our parents mistakes
And love our parents
And love each other
But most importantly we will love ourselves
Since the heart is a muscle that loves to struggle
The wisdom we've earned
The lessons we've learned
We graduated from the school of hard knocks
And in turn
We talk teach play preach to each
Child that we can reach
Because only when it's dark
Do we get to see the stars
And only when it's dark
Does a new day start
So when your life seems dark
Just put some light and love
In your heart