by S. Leah Brown
S. Leah Brown, a colorful Urban Poetess and Spoken Word Artist is the founder of “The Write to Heal”, a workshop that promotes reading, poetry and other creative outlets for kids at risk. In 2004, her first workshop graduated from Mission College and the Youth Advocacy Program in Sylmar. Brown is also the author of a published poetry collection entitled “LEAHSLAND”. She may be contacted via email: tiggyclay@yahoo.com
THEY CAN’T READ OR WRITE CAUSE THOSE WITH THE CASH KEEP IT TIGHT LIKE THAT SO PEOPLE CAN’T FIGHT BACK AT WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW AIN’T RIGHT THEY KEEP STACK’N PACKIN THEIR POCKETS WITH WELFARE DOCKETS FROM OTHER LANDS SHAKING HANDS WITH DIPLOMATS BEHIND THEIR BACK SO THEY NEVER UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET HAVE RIGHTS THAT THERE’S ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE TO EAT HEAT WHEN IT’S COLD HELP WHEN IT’S NEEDED HOT WATER FLOWING OUTTA GOLD SHOWER HEADS BABIES TUCKED INTO SATIN SHEETS ON FLUFFY BEDS AND CARTOON’D PAMPERS ON THEIR ASSES
BUT THEY DON’T KNOW THAT CAUSE THE HEAD OF STATE GETS PAID TO KEEP THEM DOWN WHILE THEY RETREAT AND STARVE IN DEFEAT MY MIND IS BROKEN CAUSE I’VE SEEN WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON AND IF I TRY TO SHED LIGHT ON IT THEY’LL CRUSH ME, BUM RUSH ME TAKE ME OUT SO I CAN’T RANT AND RAVE AND SCREAM AND SHOUT ABOUT THE SHIT IN THE STREETS BABIES CRYING IN THE NIGHT WITH NO FOOD TO EAT RATS BIG AS CATS NO WAY TO MAKE IT BETTER CAUSE THEY’RE TRAINED TO KEEP IT THIS WAY SO THEY DON’T FUCK UP THEIR PAYDAY I’VE SEEN THE KRYME SEEN ‘N MY MIND CAN’T FORGET IT I CAN’T REST TILL I SPEAK IT TELL IT SPILL IT TO THE WORLD I’VE BEEN THERE STOOD IN IT SLEPT IN IT WASHED AND GOT FED IN IT AND I DON’T CARE WHAT THEY DO TO ME I MUST STAY TRUE TO ME CAUSE NO FAMILY IS SAFE TILL THEY’RE FREE
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