The Sermon | by Kiandra

This poetry things isn’t new to me. . .

These youngins try to get through to me, like my life is reality TV they control the flipping of my channels and the pause, play, and mute of my life. But I’ve had enough! It’s time to get tough wit’ em and let em know that Kiki ain’t the one. . .

You’ve been through the rain and the sun which has blinded you to believe that life is gonna be oh so fun and you’re parents are gonna be there every time you’ve lost or won.

Well mine have already left, so where’s my sunshine? How is it possible that I can still smile like the world is mine? Or still believe that even though I’m a dime with no dimes I’m gonna pay for college? Or I’m still gonna have the knowledge to spit poems that make you snap, clap, and giggle?

Well my young days are OVER and my pen is down to the last scribble, you wanna make money? Well you gotta act civilized. So don’t look surprised if you go downhill like the economy, if you don’t change for the better today.

So for those of you ladies who are poppin’ out babies like daisies need to change your fertilizer.

Life is a witch and karma is hand in hand right beside her, if you can’t even control yourself how can you be the driver. . . to another?

Everybody always talkin’ bout how they better then the next and always hate on the next man with more digits on his paycheck. But you better learn that you reap what you sow, so those who break they back at it are guaranteed to grow.

Speakin’ of breaking backs guys be sure to wear protection, and start a conversation with the chick before ya’ll start textin’ about late nights and getting; it on, because a one-night-stand is all it takes to throw ya’ life wrong.

And the word “GAY” is not supposed to be a put-down & stop calling people “WHITE” because they won’t put a book down. Be more open-minded, try pickin one up, it’ll take you to more places than the drank in yo’ cup.

So whassup? I’m not tryna judge, I’m just tryna be the help. I ain’t a perfect teenager you can trust I’m struggling by myself, but I got the determination to get an education to help those who get by by tryna hit licks. Life is a relay race and I’m handing you the stick, just roll with my clique, cus I refuse to let any friend I have be another negative teen statistic.

Ozone House Shelter Rap | by a former shelter client

Verse 1:
Real talk this da Ozone House
People come here quiet and shy as a mouse

But they open up when they see
That the Ozone House is the place to be

Each shift has a nice staff member
They talk to us and give us something to remember

Ozone House is a shelter that provides you with help
Willing to talk and take you thru the steps

On how to live life and become a better child
To fight peer pressure in front of a crowd

Taught us self control and to be drug free
Also sex protection and high self esteem

Ozone House was the place for me to be
When from my house I was forced to leave

With the help of Beth my counselor my pain was relief
Then I opened my eyes and I can now finally see

It’s more to life than what I’m making of me
If it wasn’t for this place on the streets I would be

So from the bottom of my heart a special thanks to you all
For getting me back up after my big fall

Verse 2:
Ozone House gave me a place to crash
After my mom treated me like trash

When she kicked me out of the house that day
Ozone House gave me a place to stay

Real talk this place means a lot to me
This place is really where I want to be

Listen to me
Ozone House keeps you off the streets

It’s the place to be
Yea it’s the place for me

With bad situations their teaching me to cope
Their teaching me not to kill my body with dope

I do my chores every day
Cause this place gave me somewhere to stay

I do my part to keep this place clean
What this place did for me you don’t know how much to me it does mean

This place is the best
They try to help me get some rest

So once and for all I’d like to give special thanks
To all the staff members who taught me how to think