I’ve seen a man smile as the mother of his young victim shed tears, tears, tears
Old men just sit and shake their heads, “damn! it’s changed through the years!”
The children are laughing as they play in the summer heat, and the cops ride slow going down that same street
The bass is booming as the cars pass by, young girls, fast little girls, watchin’…let’s see if he says hi
The city parks are packed to watch “could have beens” play ball, young girls, fast little girls, running to catch their babies ‘fo they fall
Mama stressing at the end of the month, when that was the last of the food you just ate…callin’ her case worker makin’ sure the food stamps won’t be late
Cause no matter what hungry you won’t be, she’ll even call that man that she don’t wanna see…you know who I mean
Nosey lil lady on the first floor said my daddy stopped by “MAMA WHAT HE COME HERE FO’?!” we ain’t seen that dude in five years or more
Hmph! mama says he was doin’ a bid…asked ‘er why she said’ “oh ummm…just some things dat he did”
But love here aint common so he won’ be stayin long, there’ll be anotha brotha wit anotha sad song
Sittin’ here thinkin’ bout all the tears and pain, you gotta admit there’s been some joy in this mixed-up ghetto game
Sittin’ on the porch with your cousins till dark, catching every firefly that dare make a spark
Block parties, snow days, the bodega on the block, bangin cars, lots of stars who got their money selling rock, little old ladies in ev’ry bodies shit, c-lo, tonk, and a game called spit, mama doin hair at the kitchen sink, and rooocccckkkk, skate! down at the rollerskating rink
Not often will you see a ghetto child cry, even when mama’s beat up…cuz her boyfriend was high, see these kids will do anything to have more than their parents have…hopefully they get it before they end up on a slab
Ghetto child, ghetto child do da damn thing, model clothes, polish toes, rap, tell jokes or sing
Get yours by any means and visit many places
But like me no matter where you go you’ll never forget ~The Many Ghetto Faces~
© Copyright 2022 Teliah Walker
Teliah Octavia 