« A Proven Point »
	I often wonder
	Of my youth
				JAY

Am I just under

A load of pressure

Or am I really the lesser

Included

I stand among men

Because I’ve proved this is where I belong

But some feel I’m wrong

And untested

Because my freedom was wrested

From my grip

When I slipped

Out of character

Producing a need

For this barrier

That bars me from society

But how can they deny me

When I pay every day

That they hide me

From those whom I love

And I ‘m drug

Through mental anguish

I’m paying my debt

And this pain is

A scar upon my heart

But the trial sowed wisdom

Yet the ones who doubt me

I can feel them

Agitating the masses

Like asses they’re stubborn

They’re using my past

To bludgeon

My spirit

For they fear this

Is a time

When the traps and lures

Failed to blind

A product of the ghetto

Because I said no

To the vices

I discovered their treasures

But the price is

The motivating force

That allows me to voice

My apology

And proclaim my remorse

For misrepresenting

I’m now the essence of a gentleman

So accept me

For I’m not relenting

After paying my wages

with many wages

I’m indebted

But I owe nothing to you

I owe it to her

For it’s plain

Where we stand

And she deems me to be

A true man.