Thanks to everyone who supported this new project, our project donors and sponsor, Prince Books. Y’all made a pretty incredible thing happen. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you I got more than I gave. Next up? African American Poetry Since 1945!
–LBH
A TEACHER by Roosevelt Harrington
A teacher
One who teach and learn
and teach you things you never knew
A teacher
sometimes have they own problems
but yet finds time for you
A teacher
soft spoken, well educated, well dressed
expect great things, nothing less
A teacher
loves you and show they care
and always promise to be there
A teacher
lift your spirits up when you are down
give you what you need to get up off the ground
A teacher
has all the qualities as Lisa
and I am so glad that she was my teacher
A teacher
SUMMARY by D.J.M.
2Pac, the Rose that grew.
As I sat and read your poems my mind did 2.
Your poetry taught me things I couldn’t learn in school.
Takin on the 7 Cities class this summer was definitely a Plus.
To anyone trying to open their mind this class is a must.
Stay creative and with the process always trust.
And to our teacher I can’t thank you enough.
Yours Truly, D.J.M. SE7EN
SONG IN THE STREETS by Frankey Needles AKA Darryl Mosely
Blood hit the ground tear drop from his eye
He question God biggest question why
All his friends dead or in jail
And he still in the streets life passing him by
He can hear the sound of the crowd
As he lay on the ground soul reach for the sky
He told himself that he’ll stay clean
But his body hurt so bad that he had to get high
Didn’t think he’d ever O.D.
When it came to heroin known as the O.G.
And he always kept his ears to the streets
But he must’ve forgot ain’t no L.O.V.E.
He still had a pulse when the ambulance arrived
They gave him some narcan to make sure he survived
On his way to the hospital he finally opened his eyes
Looking up at the paramedic
Flashing a light in his face
The paramedic just smiled
And said today your lucky day
It’s not everyday someone make it back from the fentyn
I know you want to talk but right now just listen
You only got one life please treat it like you care
This session, our Norfolk City Jail writers from the men’s block are writing in response to the poetry and song lyrics of Tupac Shakur. It’s been an incredible experience for everyone — myself most of all.
Tupac Shakur, “Brenda’s Got a Baby”
I hear Brenda’s got a baby But, Brenda’s barely got a brain A damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name (That’s not our problem, that’s up to Brenda’s family) Well let me show ya how it affects the whole community Now Brenda really never knew her moms and her dad was a Junky, went in death to his arms, it’s sad ’cause I bet Brenda doesn’t even know Just ’cause your in the ghetto doesn’t mean you can’t grow But oh, that’s a thought, my own revelation Do whatever it takes to resist the temptation Brenda got herself a boyfriend Her boyfriend was her cousin, now let’s watch the joy end She tried to hide her pregnancy, from her family Who didn’t really care to see, or give a damn if she Went out and had a church of kids As long as when the check came they got first dibs Now Brenda’s belly is gettin’ bigger But no one seems to notice any change in her figure She’s 12 years old and she’s having a baby In love with the molester, who’s sexing her crazy And yet she thinks that he’ll be with her forever And dreams of a world with the two of them are together, Whatever, he left her and she had the baby solo She had it on the bathroom floor and didn’t know so She didn’t know, what to throw away and what to keep She wrapped the baby up and threw him in the trash heap I guess she thought she’d get away, wouldn’t hear the cries She didn’t realize How much the little baby had her eyes Now the baby’s in the trash heap bawling Momma can’t help her, but it hurts to hear her calling Brenda wants to run away Momma say, you makin’ me lose pay The social worker’s here everyday Now Brenda’s gotta make her own way Can’t go to her family, they won’t let her stay No money no babysitter, she couldn’t keep a job She tried to sell crack, but end up getting robbed So now what’s next, there ain’t nothing left to sell So she sees sex as a way of leaving hell It’s paying the rent, so she really can’t complain Prostitute, found slain, and Brenda’s her name, she’s got a baby
Mother Love, After Tupac Shakur, Brenda’s Got a Baby
by Frankey Needles
A boy name Tom was a ticking time bomb.
All because he never had a mom.
All he knew about his mom
is that she had him at the prom.
Left him in the rest room after he left her arms.
His mom really had it bad, thought she knew the father
but he didn’t want to be a dad.
All he wanted was a nut just like a squirrel —
knowing by having sex you can bring another into this world.
No one knew she was pregnant because she wasn’t showing.
They didn’t see her smile
and the way that she was glowing.
She didn’t tell her mom. Didn’t tell her dad.
Thought that if she did it’ll only make them mad,
so she kept it to herself til it was no more time left.
But when that time came there was no one there to help.
Thank God for a friend that was walking and
gave him to foster care. She thought she’d never see him again.
But on his tenth birthday, at his surprise
looking at his mother they had the same eyes.
Praying to God every night that he’ll bring him back
A place to read fiction and poetry from some of your favorite online writers. Don't be surprised if you see some of mine sprinkled here and there. I love to write with great authors.
7CWP 