First Day of School

My little girl starts school today
When she was born I envisioned her wearing a smart uniform
It's discounts for her
Smiles so sweetly when I tell her how pretty she looks
Don't point out the stains or the tear in her dress
She opens her arms to me as I smooth out the wrinkles
We embrace each other
I pray the kids don't make fun of her dress

In a House

In a house filled with love and riches
A baby boy dies in his sleep
On the wrong side of town
A girl of only fourteen with tracks on her arm is taken to the hospital
Blood work shows heroin and a baby
Baby survives and is born via c-section
No love
No mother's touch
Only sterile hospitalization
From foster to foster she goes
Until she's put in a home with love
One dead baby
One fighting baby
Don't tell me God don't have a plan fr us

Out of a Job

Out of a job again
Cold air cuts through like a knife
Worn out coat
No gloves
Unless I make $60.00 by the 20th of the month
No heat
I walk home
Beggars on the street
Young girls who should be home with their mothers are offering themselves up
All night diners serving cheap food
It's a wonder we all don't get food poisoning
I shuffle past it all
A man calls out to me asking if I want a job
Easy money
I am tempted
I walk on and pray