Astoria, Queens, New York
Born but not raised
To a family enslaved
To work till their graves.

Daddy working late
Mom’s food on my plate
Mom will stay up to wait
She’ll be there to greet her soul mate
                                                       Day and night jobs
                                                       No regular 9 to 5
                                                       As long as we survive
                                                       Our children can strive.

                                                       Port Chester, New York
                                                       Moved to a town
                                                       Where we put rent down
                                                       Hope we don’t drown.
4 years old
A move so bold.
The winters were still cold,
But my dad’s taxi no longer gold.

Mom and Dad as a team
Working full steam
To achieve the American Dream
They believe to be supreme.
                                                      Mortgage down payment
                                                       A house with a basement.
                                                       All our money spent.
                                                       What an accomplishment!

                                                        Struggle to maintain
                                                       Tensions hard to contain
                                                       Money down the drain
                                                      With a house we can’t sustain…