By
Tatiana Bivens-Jones
Age: 12
Grade: 6
Martin
says “enough” to all the poor people out here.
Martin
says “enough” to all the people living out on the street.
“Get
up my children let me show you a better life.”
“Do
not be afraid of what you believe in my child.”
Martin
says “enough” to all the children with no Christmas.
Martin
says “enough” to all the poor children with empty stomachs.
“Get
up my children let me feed you with knowledge.”
“There
is a better way in life,
You
do not have to be dependant on other people.”
“I
know you can do it, I know you can!”
Put Your Sole to the Streets
By Armani Brown
Age: 16
Grade: 12
When
you’re failing
And
you think that your only way is up
See
now you’re stuck
No
more charms so you guess you
are
out of luck
Got
your guitar and pick
Cause
you’re ready to play the blues
When
you’re ready to give up
Take
a walk in my shoes
Feel
the pain and the hurt
When
where you lay is the dirt
With
a collage of skin and rags that
make
up your shirt
So
you’ve got work to do
Or
school to pass
But
my fate has been decided by the way of the class
In
this game called life
I’ve
been set up to lose
So
when you wanna trade hands
Take
a walk in my shoes
For
you and your own it takes boxes to move
Kick
this box and I move
Now
which life would you choose?
It’s
a strive to survive
I
would die for some food
I’d
go blind just to see what life is like for you
You’ve
got choices to make
Deciding
your next move
When
life gets too picky
Take
a walk in my shoes
While
you sit with your pens and write letters for change
I’m
a beggar for change
But
I’m begging to change
So
when you’re ready to sing
And
lose the game
To
run out of options
And
live life in shame
When
you’re sick of walking in tennis shoes, dress shoes, even cleats
Put
your sole to these streets
And
take a walk in my shoes
Copyright Homeless Grapevine Issue #87 in July
2009 in Cleveland Ohio.