Michelle
A young girl from the Southside
Where cats shoot dice
In the sky Gwendolyn cools the air
Smog separates the city
These rich folks don’t come round ‘here
The city of the violet
Heart of the violence
Like flies glued to honey
Taste like vinegar to me
You knew there wasn’t nothing sweet
Like bitter lies and ole festered dreams
You kept pushing til life was in your reach
Boys used Tommys and Jimmys
To book girls
I learned from you
Books lead to booking
No one can take anything from me
See there was nothing Ricky, Bobby, and Mike
Could ever offer me
See when you’re a smart brown girl like ‘Chelle
Folks tremble and flee
Too many words, Too many numbers
A girl like you can’t compete?
Smart like you, Smart like me
There’s a Michelle Vaughn Robinson
Deep in me, Because of you
One day there’ll be a little girl
Looking in them, finding me