Paterson blues

A Poem by Joey Martinez

Just a kid from Paterson waiting for the violence to end
Wondering when these animals will drop the guns and pick up a pen
The doves have been long gone this town is home of the crows
It's becoming a rare occurrence to watch your children grow
Many young lIves being taken away
Many mothers begging their kids to stay
Afraid of what lies on the outside of their doors
Murderers, drug dealers, crackheads and w****s
As the clock continues to tick
Another soul was gunned down on the Avenue of sixth
You're better off living for today because tomorrow may never come
The pearly gates are believed to be seen past the sun
Which brings me to admit that i am sick of hearing "they're in a better place"
I'm tired of being lied to right in front of my face
Because heaven isn't guaranteed
It's just a long tale of religious belief
There's no place like home!
There's no place better than a family surrounded dome!
I'm just afraid a reader of this poem might be taking their last breath
Paterson New Jersey, the reapers playground, the home of death