One Man Down

When my world begins to fall and my knees collapse
The boulders on my shoulders cause my arms to snap.
Two strikes against me — born a man and also born black
A head full of pride, with low self-esteem at that

An enslaved heart with the mind of a free man
I see death but write life-like with my hands.
So is this the way it’s supposed to be —
Handcuffs, and shackles on my feet?

I didn’t ask to be here, God sent for me.
So I try my hardest to make things work.
I can’t cry for joy because my tears hurt.
Seven siblings, the oldest 25, break our ages into thirds

And that’s been hell most of our lives.
To survive you must beat the game
And get rewarded a golden crown.
To the six, don’t give up, for we are one man down.

2 Faces, 16
Roxbury, Massachusetts

(In memory of Antwon)

* Reprinted from Positive Teens Magazine Volume 6 Issue 4, July/Aug 2004

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