Standouts - The Beat Within

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Page 37
Something To Say
Sitting in juvenile hall
I may be short, pero, I keep standing tall
I got another month in here
I’m hella disappointed. I ain’t going no damn where
My inner thoughts continuously eat my mind
The demons of my past, I can’t quite leave behind
I had my family visit. I miss them already
Their presence is still in my mind, heavy
I just got to keep striving forward, staying steady
Not getting caught up with stuff that’s so petty
-Jazzy
From The Beat: Nice poem. Will you be going home to your family? Do
they encourage you to go to school, stay out of the streets, get real
work? Can your memories guide you into a life you’ll like and be proud
of?
Ride Or Die
I got a ride or die chick; she always on my side
We good for each other, like Bonnie and Clyde
She my gutta beezie, so I know she down to ride
She a never keep a secret. She a say what’s on her mind
I like her a lot. She the girl of my dreams
She say, “Us against the world,” so I ain’t worried by a thing
She love a ninja tough, like Beyonce love to sing
Lil Momma like a robber, ‘cause she stole a ninja’ heart
Love at first sight; yeah, I knew it from the start
A lil thug. Passion know we can never be apart
-D-Easy
From The Beat: Tender poem to/about the lady who inspired it. But why
is it you two against the world, instead of inside, or with the world? If
she thinks you’re wrong sometimes, does she let you know? Isn’t that
what a true woman does?
To Change A Young Life
To change a black young brother’ life, my solution is to do good in
life. In the future, I want to go to college, so I could make something
out of my life. I don’t want to be locked up. I want to be something.
My mom is having it hard. I want to change my life so bad. If I
keep going down the wrong path, I won’t be able to do anything in
the future. I don’t want my mom crying. I don’t know where I’m at. I
don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t want my mom going through that.
But the only thing is, my real mom died when I was a baby, but
now my grandma is taking care of me. But I call her my mom, and I
love her, I really do, with all my heart. If it wasn’t for her, I could be
dead or in jail, like I am now, that’s why I can’t wait until I get out,
so I could change my life.
-Gregory
From The Beat: You have our hearts about your mom, and are lucky to
have your wonderful grandma. What job, career, are you interested in,
to get school classes, skills, work experience you need? Can you work
with someone in that profession as soon as you get out?
I don’t want my mom
crying. I don’t know
where I’m at. I don’t
know what I’m doing.
I don’t want my mom
going through that.
Standouts San Francisco County Volume 17.01/02
In Juvie For Two Christmases,
New Year’s
My New Year’s resolutions are: Not to be in here next year on New
Years, because I’ve been in here for New Years two years in a row,
two Christmases in a row, and I’m fed up with my habits and this
juvenile hall, because I’m tired of going to jail. So, I’m goin’ to just
do my time, get off probation, so I can move on with my life.
My second New Year’s resolution is to mess with straight Asian
and Pacific Islander girls, because some other girls are too racket
for me. I’m getting tired of them. I have to change up my style. I’ve
been messing with those other girls for too long, and they can’t do
nothing for me, but give me pleasure and try to love me, but they
always want to argue and fight. I’m fed up with all my old bad habits.
-Kid Ant
From The Beat: Should you choose your girlfriend based on her
character, not on her race? Is she honest, funny, smart, willing to work
hard, goes to school, establishes a real life? But isn’t someone giving
you pleasure, loving you, a great start? It takes two to argue, so what
happens if you walk away?
I’m The King, Like Chess
I play you, like some dominoes
I’m too sick, call me phenomenal
My rhymes are prestigious
I’m so smart, ninjas call me a genius
Not a damn mark
Ninja, y’up, I’m the king, like chess
Boy, sit back, relax, and let my pawns do the rest
I put you to the test
Can’t move that way
Got him stuck, like, check
You’re idle, your life’s a living wreck
Now he gone, he got smacked with fat tec
Just like my homie got hit with fat .40
Now he with his lost loved ones
His dead homies
-Young Bleak
From The Beat: You may be a real player, a king with pawns who
make your moves for you, but gloating about somebody else’s death,
tragically, won’t bring your cousin back, right? Behind all your fronting,
you’re understandably grieving. You have our hearts.
My Best Friend
Is Not A Good Friend
When I get out of here, I’m going to do what I got to do to stay out,
because I miss my mom and my poom poom baby. I love my baby.
He means a lot to me.
When I get out, I’m going to think about the people I be with,
because I found out my best friend was not being a good friend. I
don’t know why I didn’t stop messin’ with her when my boyfriend
told me to. I guess I had to find out the hard way.
-Shakarri
From The Beat: Is it always better to find out everything for yourself?
Maybe your boyfriend was right to warn you about your best friend,
but now you know on your own, who she is. Even so, that must hurt.
I Care About Going Home
If I could, I’d go home, be with my girl, go smoke some weed, go see
my friends. I’d take my girl to Crab Shack, eat crab, fish, oysters,
shrimp. Take my girl out to the movies--shooting movies, ‘hood to
‘hood, like real life.
-Damarcus
From The Beat: What movies you’ve seen, seem most like your life?
What character is like you? Does he have the same motives, skills,
sense of purpose, humor as you do? What have movies taught you?
What would a movie of your life be like?