Mama Says…

The cracks in the city pavement, gobble me alive

Deep into the darkness of the street where the secrets lie

I look for comfort in the dank crevices of this unforgiving

Fortress of oppression

One step at a time

Ignore the cat calls mama says

Walk with confidence and keep your head low

Mind your own and you’ll live long

Mama says

Mama says

Make it out of here

Not for you, selfish woman, for them

For your sisters. They need you more than anything

Take them with you to the promised land

My God promised me one.

Become a doctor.

Heal the wounds of these streets

Become a psychiatrist

Treat the broken hearts of this slum

Become a politician

Anything but a crook

Find a job, find a career, find a life

Caps in the air and Im on my way

If I could find the funds my future might not look so fragile

A job could change my life

Mom could get off the late shift with enough time

To walk to the next bus in time

I could take care of them and come back for the rest

I could start over

Make a new path for me, mine, ours

A brand new beginning

A new job, a new path.

Mama says,

find a job, find a love, find a passion

find yourself

find Him

But Mama,

when will I find the time?

I hardly find the moments to ask Him for the strength