Social Issue America

In these poems, I address social issues that exist within today's society.  The first addresses prescription drug abuse which has spread to all social classes in America. The opening to a longer piece,  the character explains her life as an addict and her struggle to kick the habit in the midst of her pregnancy. The inspiration came from an episode of Drugs, Inc. (National Geographic Channel).  The last poem explores racial issues in the South. This piece consists of two incidents where the main character was arrested for crimes he did not commit. The title and poem was influence by Billie Holiday's song, "Strange Fruit".

Familiar Fruit

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He was on the clock when cops cuffed him

and shoved him into the backseat. Jake asked, "Why?" and was told he fit the description.

"Yes, he was black with dreads, but that man

was light-skinned, said the family. The cops left Jake by the roadside and peeled off into the distance.​

Now Jake has been arrested more than once, but he's never committed a crime.

Jake, black as a plum, just so happened to

show up a year later: right place, wrong time.

Pill Poppin' and Pregnant

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Momma went to the hospital a few months

back, moanin' 'bout stomach pain she had

real bad. Found out she had cancer

an' she started chemo soon after that.

They gave her medicine for the pain,

but bein' too proud she neva take her

'scripts an' I know she won't miss 'em.

Bottle been sittin' here for months.

I'm so happy, I could kiss her!

I crush 'em up, mix it up,

Th'ow it all in a spoon an' burn.

Suck it up, shoot it up, it's almost

like...like a supersonic energy rush!

Warm you like the sun, when yo' body

start goin' numb. Somebody always know

someone...

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