Today, my innocence was taken from me in the middle of the night.
He touched me and tore my flesh as I fought with all my might.
I scream and no one heard me. No one came.
I sit there trying to figure how to hide my shame.
It was my fault because of how I am with my strut and how I talk.
As I stand up, the pain is so much to bare, I can hardly walk.
I sit and I cry as I figure out how not to be sad,
But when morning comes, I still have to call him, Dad.
One voice whispers.
No one wants me, and no one cares about me.
When I'm gone you….you all will see.
My life doesn't matter to anyone,
And when I'm gone, you'll still have your fun.
As the blade touches my skin and I feel the blood run,
I don't feel pain but see freedom. Now I've won.
No more tears. No more pain.
Please, God, make it rain.
Two voices creek.
Mommy doesn't like me anymore that's why she went away.
She left us all alone before I could see the sun's rays.
How will I survive and who will want me now?
This man will and so will he but I don't see how.
I am not even worth the flesh I was born with,
That's why I just lay here stiff.
They say trouble last for only a short time,
That's why I help it with one coke line.
Three voices murmur.
She calls my stupid and I'll never amount to anything.
I can't even figure out why the cage bird sings.
It isn't my fault that she had me so young.
So she figures, I'll have a kid while I'm young.
According to her in a few years, I'll be dead.
Better yet, carrying on the family business with my legs spread.
I have dreams and hopes but they are killed by home.
Now, I can only wish I can go away and be alone.
Four voices cry
I got to be a man and stand on my own two.
Get respect from everyone cuz respects due.
You hand over your car and the cash
And you little mami, let me tap that ass.
I didn't want this life. This life picked me.
Now I gots to show everyone, I'm a G.
My dad showed this and look I'm just fine.
Well, I was till I was shot with that nine.
Five voices stir
He beat me every day, but I got to hide the bruises.
While at school, I endure the other children's abuses.
I sit in my room just waiting for him.
He will drink then beat me at the next whim.
Mommy gets it too and no one can protect us.
I dream about someone will make his blood gush.
That won't ever happen though because he's tough.
The police came and did nothing, and you think you got it rough.
Six voices rise.
How many of these people do you actually know?
Mother, sister, brother maybe even the neighborhood hoe?
Do you see them? Do you talk to them?
Do you listen? Do you touch them?
You see them everyday as they blend and walk with you.
When will you see them and help them to what's true.
For all they know right is wrong.
Show them, or hear the same song.
But one question, how many voices sound off before it's a scream?
Anthony Keith McCann
