Dropouts Anthem
Here I am for the first time in a few weeks with my books full of drawings
My binder full of papers
The person in charge takes one looks at my profound street apperance with disapproval
All at once I take a seat in a desk marked with my label
"Unable and Unworthy"
Suddenly the high power demands "I need you to read page 7."
All I can say is, "How can you call on me if I didn't raise my hand?"
I feel my voice raising while I'm thinking who really cares if I get an education?
Like my father I'm a failure, these grades don't make me
I'm not fit to be a congressman or doctor, I'd rather die in these streets
The system can't detain me
I'm on a paper chase going state to state
You won't catch me in school
I'm a black teen in corrupt America, of course I break the rules
All of you
Sports jocks, cheerleaders, chess clubbers, and over achievers can have the love and attention
I'm not fit to be a president anyways because I have quarterly house inspections
Look down on me if you must
But my mom's rent was due last month
My only talents consist of moving bricks faster than a track college kid
I make a difference with three gun shots, three impacts
BANG, BANG, BANG
Bullets at my friend's chest summer 2012
I seek revenge on the killer, I can't get to class before the bell
I finally got 275 for my mom's rent
But there is no class on how to make a payment
The landlord foreclosed my home along with my dreams
So save it!
"I need a good reader to read page 7."
My hand raises though my heart is shaking
All I want to do is have a decent education
See, if I can propounce
"emancipation proclamation"
School will raise me into the man my father never was
Instead those watchful eyes skip over mine like that mini heart attack when you miss a step
A prebble over lake waters
Or when you mishear the word death
Maybe it was the fact that my shirt was a little too big and pants a little too low
But my talents consist of running as fast as a college track kid
I make a difference off my poetry skills
Look down on me if you must but I keep straight A's through several months
The person in charge could make or break my future decisions
But to them?
My exsistence makes no difference.
My seat is marked with my label
"Unable and Unworthy"
The sad part is I was named before they even got to know me
Now I wish that teacher would have changed their impression
So the name on my desk would read
"Successful If Given Attention"