I Know Who I Am

My name is A'Jayla All of Joy and Anger, I'm Young Filled with Longing and Amazement I live in a world with a single mind set I straddle the cracks of society norms I keep myself from falling in I have ancestors with coco skin and thick hair which I endure, gratefully Will I live long enough to go to college? Will I live another day? Questions that I ask myself daily, living in a war zone called home A stray bullet or a man with hungry eyes, things that can take a young, black, and innocent girl life Survive in Chiraq? Or is it Chicago? Survive. That's the word that I live by everyday I have to survive to be the first in my family to go to college I am a leader, a young activist for women, Black's, and stopping violence I'm forever Amazed by the things I've witnessed and captured I'm full of joy that I'm still living at such a young age But I'm angered that there are so many unfortunate to make it past the age of eighteen Even though things are bad now I long for the day when there is no more pain and suffering Despite being a black female I Will Survive Despite society telling me that I have to live my life how it wants me to, I Will Survive Despite the killings and abuse going on every where I Will Survive Despite the pictures that I Taje that can't capture my full story. I, A'Jayla Jones, Will Survive.