some wear them to keep warm
while others wear them for fashion
but a few wear them to hide

to hide the scars
brought upon by the pain,
the pain of a war they can never seem to win.

brutally honest,
gorgeous,
free-spirited,
kind and loving -
i love my people

the jewel of the Caribbean
i love my country
my little island
full of so much beauty, it should be illegal
an island forever on top
the best in Caribbean, really

the talk of many
home of many greats
" we likkle but we tallawah "
so much talent on one island
raw and pure
i could be no prouder to be a Jamaican

i wanted him
he wanted her
she wanted someone else
and that's how everyone ended up sad,
alone and heartbroken

4"2 with the voice of an angel
he couldn't be more than ten
the only thing he ever stole was the hearts of those around him

a week later,
his body drains of blood
a mother's cry echoes around the town
her innocent baby
why'd they **** her innocent baby?
he was only nine.

a mother's cry echoes around the world
her baby is gone
blood drains from his body
one shot to the head
several to the torso
why'd they **** her baby?
he was only coming from school.

a shaken up officer stands to the left
Caucasian and worried
a grieving community to the right
African-American and terrified

straight A's and a bright future at seventeen
a future no-one could foresee
both labeled thugs
at 9 and 17

why?
because of the skin they keep.

she never wore shorts,
skirts or swimsuits
nothing too revealing

she always wore tights,
jeans or jumpers
anything to keep her covered.

she wore sweaters
all year 'round
whether it was burning hot
or freezing cold.

scars were her new skin color
her blade was her best-friend
and she night it kissed her -
deeply
passionately
and sweetly.

a fake smile
plastered on her face
like a permanent mask.

she had few friends
yet she trusted no-one
they thought she was getting better
but she was only getting worse.

she was slowly fading away
with whatever wind
that flew her way.

looking at all these scars
who knew i would make it this far?
the world has ended for me every day
yet,
i stand tall
the world is mine
i'm rising
i'm soaring
but i'm scared
because,
really,
who knew i would make it this far?

-kks