Fear Versus Chicago

Agoraphobia.

Noun. 

Extreme irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s own home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult. 

Chicago, sometimes Chi-raq by the 

mass media.

Noun.

Extremely popular city, tourist filled in the “good parts”, high crime rate.

Now that we have gotten that out the way I will  break down my so called fears.

I have always had this thing named 

social anxiety which I carried around more than stuffed animals

since I was a little.

Low and behold that anxiety that kept me

from having a voice would bloom 

into something much worse when I 

was aware that people that look 

just like me,

or even just a few shades darker 

would become a victim to the streets.

The same people with goals and kids

to feed, lives would be claimed by the

bullet. 

The bullet from the gun of somebody that 

once aspired to be greater. 

From the gun of somebody that

had their parents taken away due to

incarceration. 

From the gun of somebody that 

is told that there is hope but is turned down

by those who say they are advocates 

for the youth.

Any one of my peers can be that person.

I can be that victim. 

But I can’t hide myself from the city. 

So here I am speaking loudly 

with my words. 

Help me, help us.