Open Your Eyes

I pleaded for an opportunity,
But you kept me thirsty.
I begged you for knowledge,
But you kept me starving,
Making my mind impoverished,
Intellect malnourished,
Spirit emaciated.
Didn’t even bother to throw me crumbs.

Sign said ‘I will work for it.’
But you didn’t give me a second thought.
The force of your neglect pushing me back in my cardboard box.

Tired of being molded by the University of Hard Knocks.
I’m holding out my cup.
My ambition…you block.
Can I get a penny? Dime? Nickel?
I’m trying to pen my story.
You keep erasing me like a pencil,
Wiping me on the floor so I can get swept into the system.

Stop conforming and start blowing your whistle
On all men created equal
But each man’s opportunities different.
I’m right here. You don’t have to find me.
My cup is empty.
How can I fill it?
I don’t need a silent dollar.
I need some noise-making Change!

If I have no vision, how can I see?
When all I’ve done is collect losses, how can I win?
How can this caged bird fly if you always clip my wings?
Without knowledge, my thoughts can’t be profound.
Always in quicksand…can’t walk on solid ground.
How can I get up if you always knock me down?