Life in the 'hood...

I was coming home from picking up my teenager from school the other day and while driving down the street we stopped at the traffic light. As I looked to check my mirrors, I saw a car pull up next to this truck... then a hand appeared out the passenger window... with a GUN! Next thing I know, shots ring out... 4 of them... and the car drives off...the driver hit with each shot... with his little kids in the back seat.

Needless to say I was so nervous, and surprised and afraid ... when the light changed, I drove on.... sure that I hadn't seen what I know I just saw... it happened so fast... I started to turn around and wait for the police... but I knew that I hadn't seen any thing that the authorities could use to apprehend the shooter. I decided to drive on home... but the incident wouldnt' leave my mind. I kept checking the news to see if there were any reports concerning the incident... I was appalled to find that nothing was on the 6 or 10 pm news shows. I guess folks getting shot down in the 'hood isn't priority news. Word concerning this story didnt air till the next day. But that night, the words to this piece came to me:

Shot down
like a dog in the street
like his life wasnt sweet
and it probably wasnt.
Living life violently,
its commonly understood,
you'll lose your life quickly
as shots ring out in the 'hood.

Young folks running toward death
with haste
Why'd he have to get shot down
right before my face?
As the eyes of the little ones behold
this young man's blood running cold.

Listen young men
whether you be kin or friend.
Do you have to live this way?
Why does your family have to pay
By losing you to life in the streets?
You lack respect for those you meet.
You'll die too young!
Your life has barely begun!
Give yourself a chance to live,
a chance to grow,
a chance to give
something back to those younger brothers
coming up.
Reach them!
Teach them!
But first you've gotta learn
before you get burned
as shots ring out in the 'hood.