Lady Liberty

Hood pulled over head
You slouch across the street
The sound of cars horns blaring
A resonating beat.

It worms itself into your heart
And makes you want to scream
For mercy, justice, happiness,
A chance to live your dream.

The picture slowly fades
Of joy and parity
Until you’re just left standing
Left standing there to see

The vile, wretched mess we’ve made
Of Lady Liberty
Those stars and stripes have changed to strife
And sad despondency

What used to be a Yankee
Is now just called a hood
Left wandering till midnight
For a chance to be understood

How could we let it come to this?
We fought a bloody war
To end unfairness, hunger, wrong
We suffered, and what for?

Perhaps those scars will never heal
Perhaps that’s part of living
But part of you will always wonder
How much is slowly giving

Until we collapse?