Urban life

When I flip on the televison screen
I stare at the news
hoping it won't be part of my family
gunned by those who are meant to protect and serve
we watch as the genocide begins
how many more scenes of the crime do we gotta watch where they chalk black figures on the concrete
I understand why people fear the inner city
there you are always the victim
but yet the criminal
The children of children
roaming the streets
cry out for justice everyday
but suburban ears never hear
The babies of babies
were never given the option to retreat
so they survive the only way they no how
but we are the criminals
We do all we can to live a life
though it is impossible now
to keep a black family whole
between the streets where we sell our souls
the cells where the caught go
and the service where the desperate go
We create our own justice
because where else will we get it from
We walk like warriors
heroes unsung
We throw up the peace sign
but we carry a gun