From Northside Poetry: Growing up wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t hard. Mama just wanted me to be okay with my brothers, sisters and myself. All I wanted was to be okay with myself. I don’t need fame because fortune would be enough. . . . The people I’ve met in my life just heard me, but didn’t listen. If people just took the time to listen to our problems, there wouldn’t be problems with us today. It’s not about who is smarter or richer, it’s about who is ahead of the class and how long can you stay there, only the strong can survive. I still feel the same way as I did then, “Step on them or they will step on you!” But in my joyful times I’m the lion who sleeps, and the child in God’s eyes. My ladies and gentlemen, I don’t need you to gossip about me. Cause its still going on with my family. Or I don’t need a spotlight to determine who is the bad guy; I know who I am. Because we all have our own hell, and it’s killing me everyday thinking about mine. If only I could go back in time where I started it all I would, but I’m not God. And I’m living my life just as you, one day at a time. I wrote this letter and poetry to all those who I love and all that I hate. . . . Thank you for listening to my confessions and my cries at night.