I am NOT another statistic

I was destine to fail from a young age

I was the product of a single mother

I was a cuban immigrant who spoke with a heavy accent

The other kids were fortunate, two parents

The other kids didn’t have to worry about their next meal

The other kids had it easy compared to be

I was angry for the position god placed me in

I was angry all the time

I was searching for anything to keep my afloat

After numerous trips to the principles office

After numerous nights crying myself to sleep

After numerous hopeless days, I found “it”

I was causing my mother hurt and pain

I was disrespecting my family name

I was not going to be another statistic

I broke out of the violent cycle and decided to take action

My life changed when I startd playing baseball

Baseball was fun and taught me to keep going

Keep going no matter what, because you never know what can happen

So I kept going

I kept going to school

I kept going to baseball practice 

I kept studying 

And I kept myself from being a statistic

I kept going and graduated high school

I kept going and became a student athlete

I kept going and define the odds