Ghetto Child Poem by Vincent Onyeche

The hurricane blew me
I stood and endured
When I couldn’t withstand anymore
I allowed, permitted, and submitted
To all distress
Adapted, I indulged, led and became ruthless 

Calling me names
I kept failing and falling
Compatriots,
You announced, pronounced,
Proclaimed, charted,
Vocalized, uttered and articulated
 
Good things never last in ruthless street
Ghetto,
You later saw me rising
You started trying
Making sure you spoil,
Disintegrated I became
 
All harms you did
Not to mention injuries realized from it
Scared, I went to church
Divine knowledge came into play
Ruthless ways
I dropped by the gates
 
Then I had the intuition
That you damage
Vitiate and booty
Cannot disfigure me
Instead they enhanced, flourished
Increased and grew me up 

So no matter how you try
I shall never cry
The stigma
Vestige and scar of success
Would still remain in me
The lanky ghetto child.