Oppurtunity

Oppurtunity

Its raining again
Thank God that we’re inside
Roof above our heads protects us from the storm
The rain hits the roof and rolls down
But it doesn’t land on the ground
It lands on that street kid you see every day on your way to work
He’s huddled with his sister in the gutter
So angry he’d kill for that extra bit that you wipe off the knife after you butter
He’s lived this life so long he no longer believes in crying
Dad is getting drunk at the pub
Mom is in bed somewhere dying
He sees a ray of hope, in the distance he can see something glitter
A half-eaten sandwich in the box where the rich throw their litter
Takes the treasure home to his mother who accepts with a loving smile
He packs his bags and decided to look for a job now
He gets a job as a gardener seven days a week
Hard work with a soft check, his bitter sweet
Month ends, but the money is not enough for the family to eat
He quits his jobs because he can’t support his family on it
Back to rifling through trash bins eating things that would make the well want to vomit
Just when he thinks he has hit rock bottom
His girlfriend gets pregnant
And suddenly desperation has got him
In order to support his family he needs every nickel and dime
So he sees only one way out,
Buys a gun and stash of drugs, welcome to a life of crime.

Bongani Armstrong Mhlangu

Reviews

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love this especially the first 5 lines...very personal write with such depth and personal emotions.