“A Kid from Philly”

by Rashawn Dorsey

I'm from Philly 

where they shoot in places that bring us joy 

Christmas mornings waking up to gunshots not no lil toy  

“I can’t believe Mommy; it’s Fourth of July already” 

“Don't worry baby. Hold ya lil sister nice and steady”

So many deaths and crimes, it's impossible to fake them 

a 16 year old was shot on Eid jus’ for saying As-Salaam-Alaikum

He pulled out the 9 before even thinking of Wa-Alaikum-Salaam

It becomes cool and natural if that's what you see all the time

Lil Tyrone caught his first body at 12 

“I’m 10 I can't wait to get mine”

Coming in from school to a run down home living through poverty

Moving onto the corner with some green in my pocket 

that has to foul of a smell to be broccoli 

Serving to every fien’ trying to make a living 

his dad is nowhere in sight 

Mommy said he went to get milk last Thanksgiving  

Mommy sobers up and realizes her son is not around 

Little do she know her teenager’s body is on the ground.  

Kids walking by like it’s nothing new 

One minute you see it the next you don't 

that sounds familiar to peekaboo

To all the kids out there know that it's okay 

Ya’ll got people like me to show you the better way 

All you can do is hope and pray for a toy on Christmas day  

Don’t worry it's alright 

I’m riding this poetry wave like a bike 

When y’all older, you gonna know Shawn did it the way that's right

North Philadelphians, there's still good kids among you  

Remember butterflies and lions are born in the same jungle