For tha life of me...

[poeticasylum1]

For tha life of me,
I cant see why people be evil,
in this land of the equal.
Instead of looking for the future,
brainless bums look for sequals and prequels.
As if they can hustle backwards.

For tha life of me,
I cant see why we hate each other.
Your pain is my pain.
Nowadays negroes compete in the heat.
From Watts to Hell's Kitchen,
we all bitchin.
About who have it the hardest,
instead of rewarding the smartest.
We glorify street tales,
while cons read mail
about they baby mama screwin they best friend.
I just wonder sometimes when will the madness end?

For tha life of me,
I cant see why my sisters seem to live beneath,
between cusswords and funeral wreaths.
And every sister got a story,
no glory,
just hard times and a bunch of molesters,
how ya cut for these Chesters?
I will never know.

For tha life of me,
I cant shake childhood issues.
Aint nobody handin me tissues.
All they give me is higher taxes,
and numbers to the temp service faxes.
Whats a man to do,
if he dont have a clue?
Beg borrow and steal?
Does anybody care how we feel?

For the life of me,
I cant see why we not friends.
I guess suburban living got em gassed.
If he saw me,
he'd probably roll right pass.
30 years plus,
reading comics in second grade
to straight being bitchmade.
We used to talk about being Black,
now we dont talk at all,
how many spring summers and falls
gone pass.
Can beef really last?

For the life of me,
I cant see why I see what I see.
Maybe im just a weirdo or stir crazy.
Far from lazy,
man I work so hard,
till sometimes i cry
wondering why
will my degree set me free,
from these blue collar miseries.
Its like a miniseries,
it just goes on and on.
Writing down my thoughts until dawn.
Pay dues and pray,
be content where I stay,
Perhaps someday I get to play,
like the white folks on the water.
Then I remember I got a daughter.
Its the only thing other than God,
keeping me sober.
For tha life of me.

Richard J Wright 2007

[Sumyr]

"For the life of me" I don't know how you keep coming up with these brilliant pieces. Very deep. Bravo!

[ardamus]

word, i like this piece.....good stuff

[matrixone05]

You are good my friend, very good.

[l0nnieugene]

"For tha life of you...& your daughter.. Art is your true asylum.

[Celeste]

[poeticasylum1]

Thanks for the love on this one...

[Corals]

As per usual, a very good piece of work.

[Samoon]

Wonderful piece, beautifully written. And CHANGE will occur when we as black people REALIZE that your brotha and sistah is NOT your enemy. They never were your enemy. This is what many have been taught, moreso now in our own dynamics and culture. How sad. Hopefully this piece can serve as a wake-up call.

[Diva810]

Thanks for sharing this. I've been pondering some of the same things you've mentioned here lately, espcially after being in the midst of some extreme violence in my city this past weekend.