by Tanya Cromartie-Twaddle

There is an abundance of talent right here in our neighborhood. The children. The teens hanging on the corner. They are our future. We hear that statement and make it quite often. How do we view them? Are we afraid? Disappointed? Proud? Do they want to be our future? How do they feel? Are we “grown-folks” listening?

LISTEN.

Teenagers
by Christina Campbell, 15

Friends of many races
All got different faces
Just want to have fun
Parents always on our cases
Teenagers can’t love
Oldest age you live is 16
Then you’re sent above
Police following us at night
They’re scared we might get in trouble
Teenagers can’t even cuddle
We’re teenagers
So we are judged as gang-bangers
We just ghetto kids that talk slang
Is that the wrong thang?Everynight
Why do we have to wake up to a BANG
We’re just a gang of friends
Who wish they could get a Mercedes Benz
Yeah, we love our Kin
But sometimes we’re tired of seeing them
Can’t we walk to the store safely just to get a Slim Jim?
Do you guys care about our depression?
Why do these people have to ask all of these questions?
Always asking for an explanation.
Sometimes we might be bad.
But have you ever asked if we needed air?
We’re just mad.
It’s not fair
Do you even care?
Can’t even talk on the phone
So what?
Yeah
I’m a teen
But I still like ice cream cones
Why do you always think
I’m at a boy’s house
One day
I’m a bounce!