Poverty Is Not an Accident

Poverty Is Not an Accident
Nelson Mandela

Wednesday, February 04, 2004

Cleopatra

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com
Cleopatra

Through hypodermics, feces, broken glass
She picks her way, arms crossed on breasts, head down,
No lap-top, books or pencil -- and no class --
From locked-down school to project, won't look 'round.

The War Zone robs her dollies, roses, stars;
Corrodes the satin cheek; defiles the eye.
She's all concrete, chain link, pad locks and bars.
It's lie and lay and lye and dye and die.

Low riders pass; they slow; elbows probe out
Of rolled-down, darkened windows; mufflers purr.
"Yo, ho! Gimme dat booty!" demons shout.
At twelve-year-old girl body, not at her.

Lift ev'ry voice, and sing a sacred prayer
For post natal abortion, walking there.


http://rriverstone.com/poetry/cleopatra.html

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