THE GHETTO

The ghetto

Woven in one word
Is the very essence of a soul
What’s makes the ghetto unfold

Is it trash, bottles or cans
The paper wrapping of a life once had
As we tossed away those paper tags.

Is it trash in ones minds
The anger
Jealous actions
Hatred without compassion
Metastasized .
Unsubstantiated
Propagated
By comparison
To a ghetto explanation

Remember it’s your word against theirs
What a ghetto is.
Is the ghetto away of life
Or is ghetto , a state of mind

Is the ghetto , not cutting your grass
Or not ,washing your hand behind your ass
Is the ghetto , the car your drive
Or the walk with the bags of groceries
Five children beside.

The ghetto is a state of mind.

There might be a part two , I had fun writing this one
Because I laugh when people use this word

— press, Sep 18, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Critiques

press

16 years 8 months ago

Kal Thanks

Hey Kal What's up with you!I hope all is well . Thanks for the love guy it's always a bright spot in my life. And your suggestion dose sound right. It's makes that line flow a little better. And I just read it your way again [ big smile] LOV2U PRESS

Kailashana

16 years 8 months ago

Hey U2, where is the love?

Hey U2, where is the love? Seriously Press, there are ghettos everywhere, and the question is which came first, a *state of mind* from those living inside or the state of the state that keeps that state of mind intact, so to speak. I suggest the latter. The subtle art of discrimination based on race, sex, sexual persuasion, ethnicity, familial status and national origin. Don't forget I was a Realtor once. And there was nowhere I wouldn't go... deep in the heart of any *ghetto*. Love. ~A

press

16 years 8 months ago

OK Kal I love to mix it up with you

I owned 6 rental houses and 2 apartment building, a 13 unit and a 26 unit with and elevator . Over two million in equity I swear this is true . So I have a good reasoning of the ghetto . I was the landlord . When I collect my rent I seen how people lived. Some were clean and had nice stuff. Some were not so good . The ghetto is a state of mind. I will add more later on my friend

Seren

16 years 8 months ago

Dear Press

I think its all been said before me but this is one of your best its showing the good side of things ... I enjoyed this one ... and it feels different from your other ones .. has something good happened to you ? there is a lightness to this one that wasn't in your other writes and I throughly enjoyed the change press well done :) love and higgest bugs Jayne x x

Orphani

16 years 8 months ago

Hi press, First

Hi press, First time reading your work, and i can see you have a social conscience. does the environment create the man ,or man the envirronment.the answer is both.It does depend largely on the individual, but also to a greater extent on our social conciousness,becouse we are all interdependant.economic realities can make a man rich or poor.But can it make him good or bad?We all make our choices based on what we learn.And I say where there is love there is no poverty. Best wishes to the people of Detroit during these tough times......o

Kenneth Sharp

16 years 8 months ago

I felt this was a solid

I felt this was a solid piece overall; my favorite lines: Hatred without compassion Metastasized Part of the reason is the use of the powerful term 'metastasized', and the interesting linkage of hatred and compassion...which, I imagine many assume to be mutually exclusive concepts. And yes, I agree, 'ghetto' is a state of mind.

orgami

16 years 4 months ago

from where

truths I so greatly read the authenticity This is an amazing poem and written well a look back in honest view Thank You