16 And Pregnant Poem by Ramona Thompson

A dark rewrite of Skid Row's 18 and Life

Wonder sometimes when I'm all alone at night
Will it be a girl or will be a boy?
So hurt
Feel so abandoned by my ex boyfriend's heart of stone
Left to work so hard 5-9
Down to the bone
Scared that I'm hardly gonna make it outta high school
Facing down all their cruel stares
Blushing whenever they taunt that I'm the town whore
For my baby
Fighting back like a switchblade
I'm desperatly holding on to avoid being knocked down (oh no)

I got no money
No, no support at home
Walking these hallways and streets a lonely solider
I carry this bitter burden alone
And now I'm....

16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
16 and pregnant I know
Sooner than soon it will be time
16 and pregnant
Why does everyone around me wanna make me feel so low
16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
Now I'm regretting it

I can feel my babie's little heartbeat
Know somehow, someway I gotta keep myself running on gasoline
Can't go out partying
Gotta keep my mind and my motor clean

Bang, band just like Palin's kid
Got myself knocked up
Now for me the party has to end and real life has to begin
A girl can't think of mall shopping and flirting when everything
In her world has changed
And now I'm....

16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
16 and pregnant I know
Sooner than soon it will be time
16 and pregnant
Why does everyone around me wanna make me feel so low
16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
Now I'm regretting it

'Accidents happen'
'Maybe an abortion is what she should have'
I heard my folks say
Tried so hard to make them proud
But that was the final straw
Now I walk on these streets alone
In the bitter, cold wind
A child with a child on the way

16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
16 and pregnant I know
Sooner than soon it will be time
16 and pregnant
Why does everyone around me wanna make me feel so low
16 and pregnant 'cause I did't protect it
Now I'm regretting it

2009 Ramona Thompson