Last year’s summer
I moved to South Central
I don’t miss the heat strokes, but it did take a turn
I ended up losing my mental
Driving down LA
It’s a sight to see, all day
They don’t talk about Skid Row
Now I see why so many lost hope
Junkies, they were once someone's loved one
You see them using dope
Just to cope, they’re lost souls
It’s easier to live on the streets
The people out in LA don’t want to see you succeed
Living in my car, bouncing around sober livings
I am surprised I didn’t end up permanently on the streets
In a tent, sitting next to someone’s auntie
I'm grateful for the experience just lost my mind, not completely
South Central, Los Angeles
Land of the not so righteousness
I wrote this poem for an English class, and it got published to Kings River Review 2024.