As I walk down these striped roads,

I can see and hear so much.

I've been down them so many times that

I've memorized where the cracks and divides are.

Tires screeching, 

Weeds growing, 

Children playing ball.

I see the paved roads of opportunity,

both good and bad.

I hear the songs of the broken and the angry,

playing throughout the street.

I can see my younger self,

riding my bicycle,

hoping that one of the bumps or cracks doesn't 

take me off my path.

God looks down on the striped roads and the streets of the world.

Bless the souls of the streets.

America gives and takes.

The roads give footing, but you can fall and hurt yourself on the concrete,

on the dirt.

One road splits into two,

and the boy that goes down it has to choose.

Will he become a basketball all-star, or die in the roads that once gave him hope?

I think back to my roads,

my roots.

As divided as the striped roads can be, its not about how dirty 

or broken up the streets may be.

Its about what side you choose to walk on and how you make your journey happen.

Your roads reflect these roads, and the stripes reflect back.

Stars are meant to shine, not to fight,

or discriminate,

or kill.

They're supposed to light the way.

They're supposed to shed the light on what's happening in the streets,

And help us see how to fix it and which ones to choose.

And no matter what color the light shines,

whether it be white or black or brown,

Pale or tan or orange,

even the whole rainbow,

We all must walk these striped roads together.

May the stars shine on the striped roads,

and God Bless whomever may walk down them.

(Just make sure not to j-walk.)