My Poem Why?
Inspired by the many times I was questioned why I chose to study Social Work
My Poem Why?
Constantly I am asked why?To that question I reply
Because I opened up my eyes
I saw my surroundings, the
disparities and the inequalities
I saw broken streets and broken
dreams
Graffiti walls and dead end streets
I saw dead dogs lying on the
sidewalk, as well as young men dying due to gang violence
I saw dead people walking, with
somber looks filled with sadness, No sparkle left in their eyes, No dreams to
bring them back to life
And Why is No one talking, walk
past me like I'm invisible, treat me like I’m a stranger or a criminal
Trash filled alleys, with dirty mattresses,
trash pilling on like mini mountains. Police harassment is so common, just like
receiving a summons
The bird circling night and day
flashing its lights to no success
No neighborhood watch, No community
or unity
Broken houses, broken windows, broken
families, Broken dreams
Constantly I am asked why?
To that question I reply
Because I opened up my eyes
I saw children lacking things and
mothers struggling to make ends meet
I saw absent fathers...and boys
aimlessly wandering with no super hero to guide them,
No loving words or encouragement,
No little league games, No Role Models
A constant journey through the jail
system going in and out like if it’s was a fast food restaurant
I saw the youth walking aimlessly
with No guidance, future or hope for a tomorrow, No education, No job and No
College diploma.
I saw young people almost children
making babies with no tomorrow, waiting in line for cash assistance
I saw old men with tired arms, with
broken backs and sleepless eyes
I see the sorrow in their yes,
I saw the grandmas with gray hair
working night and day waiting on the bus to take them home back to where they
live,
From lush gardens and clean and
safe streets, back into communities filled with broken walls and broken
dreams, with broken hearts and much despair... With No help coming from
anywhere...
Every day I'm asked why?
To that simply I reply... Because I
opened up my eyes and saw the sorrow in their eyes.
