Tryna Make It

I am a determined student 
trying to beat the odds 
and trying to change statistics 

Trying to make a name for myself 
and trying to cover my lips with more blistex 
cause' here I am 
another 8 A.M. 
And I had NO time to prepare 
because I was up until 12 A.M  
looking at my paper with a blank stare 

Long days, longer nights 
that’s the price of a student 
hoping I'm doing this all right 
telling myself to stay up and "JUST DO IT"...I am 

I am a big sister 
oldest of 4 boys and 2 girls 
And as I get older 
the goals around me get dimmer 
The days get colder 
and the amount of screw ups I have get slimmer 

If I can do good 
then hopes are that they do better 
that's the ultimate goal 
that they can say "my big sister's not a quitter" 

Because I can't quit 
I have too many people to make proud 
too many little faces looking up at me...I am 

I am musically diverse 
Bumpin' and vibin to lyrics that consume me 
warm me 
drive me 
make me drift into better days 
with all my family and friends around me 

Putting me to sleep 
making me dream of better things 
To come..I am 

I am a city girl 
Born in New York 
Raised in Chicago 

Violence constantly around me 
just tryna make it out before it kills me 
consumes me... 
Just tryna do better 
live better 
eat better 

Tryna make it...I am