What Would You Do? by Mike Gallimore

What would you do if you were ten
and the world you knew came crashing in?
Would you take to the streets in the dead of night,
hoping everything would be all right?

What would you do if you were nine
and the gentleman said you were lookin’ fine?
Would you know what he meant and how to say no?
Or do what he said, because he said so?

What would you do if you were eight
and the landlord's screaming that he can’t wait?
Would you rather be out in the freezing cold,
or go to a place where you do what you’re told?

What would you do if you were seven
and the kids on the block, who were ten and eleven,
told you to watch while they beat an old man
for a dollar in change and an empty beer can?

What would you do if you were six
in a world so broken it couldn’t be fixed?
Would you ask why nobody's come to see
what became of those kids who were on TV?

What would you do if you were five
in a daily struggle to stay alive?
Would you know about AIDS and that it means
you’re not too likely to reach your teens?

What would you do if you were four
with eight of your brothers on one dirt floor?
Would you cry in the morning when you hadn’t been fed?
Or wonder why momma was still in bed?

What would you do if you were three
and the welfare people came to see
the bruise on your arm and the ones on your back?
Would you tell ‘em ‘bout daddy when he’s on crack?

What would you do if you were two
and you were the only one who knew
what goes on in the house both day and night –
your mom and your dad and the endless fight?

What would you do if you were one
and were suddenly shot by some kid with a gun,
who was out on the streets in the dead of night
hoping everything would be all right?

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What Would You Do?
by Mike Gallimore (Age: 58)
copyright 01-24-2008

Age Rating: 13 to 127

Prose-n-Poetry.com

What Would You Do? by Mike Gallimore (Age: 58) copyright 01-24-2008 Age Rating: 13 to 127

What Would You Do?
by Mike Gallimore (Age: 58)
copyright 01-24-2008

Age Rating: 13 to 127