Love Poem: Baltimore City
Amy Houck Avatar
Written by: Amy Houck

Baltimore City

No Love in childhood, it's understood why we love our hood, 
Raised by the village so I feel it,
Afeni says a child needs knowledge in the realest,
Everyones a teacher, so I listen to hear it, 
Keep my ears to da street, cuz it speaks as it rots, 
wit drugs and cops, posin mixed wit rock, 
On my Block, You either survive or get knocked.
This Man we call Tube Socks, Lives outside 711, 
wit a sign that says waitin on heaven,
Cant give um cash, cuz hes on crack, wonder why he gotta be like that?
Sometimes I just stare, wonder why hes there and Im here.
It was tough growing up, I saw to much to soon,
Seven years old open the curtain in my room
see a gang out back, always said I'd never be like that.
But life changes like a river,
and I became a fiend for the liquor,
Get high and Prophesize while smokin da swisher. 
Don't think I'm a saint, cuz I'm just a sinner,
I see da bigger picture, its all connected, 
Im to young to understand it,  but I try and respect it.