Growing up . (Reflection

Million dollar wishes, 

Dreams of rags to riches 

while gaming on hundred dollar b*tch*s 

Soulless, so please forgive us 

While living, pushing the edge to the limit 

I live it, so this ain't no gimmick 

Nor for you to follow, 

While drowning my sorrows on a wine bottle, 

Putting my pen to the paper so I can appreciate tomorrow 

Growing up I had my mother to follow, 

My uncle & cousin were gangmembers, that helped me walk taller 

Taught me to stick my chest out, so I didn't appear smaller 

Iron my shirts and crease my pants so I looked like a baller 

and learn the social game 

to pick up lawyers and doctors daughters .... 

But I was after more... 

At 97, I exited moms door, 

Entered the Army to explore 

Open my eyes to see, open my lungs and breathe, 

Back when the motto was "be that all that you can be" 

I spent two years in Virginia, Fort Lee, 

Than another two in Japan, slamming Sapporo with sake 

with Japanese 

Things were happening, 

My life was awakening 

Experience was taking me, 

like wind to leaves, gently gliding into the breeze 

While at night sipping wine writting poetry, 

Because it soothes thee 

and brings serenity 

tranquility into my entity 

I looked out the window 

Escaped my imagination and felt the world dying slow, 

I see it, does anyone else know? 

I looked out the window..a lot 

While listening to Marving Gaye, or playing Tupac, 

Before and after he got shot. 

Four years later I was back home 

Kissed my mom and stopped by my friends to say hello 

And found out I was alone, 

Because I changed, 

While everyone else stayed the same, I saw sun light , instead of rain 

I felt happy instead of pain 

I just got that much smarter, 

Because I struggled and worked harder, 

even without a father, I stood taller. 

Still stick my chest out .., because I don't wanna appear smaller, 

I still iron my shirts and crease my pants 

because this masters degree and family has now made me a baller...