Patterns

By Asia-Aylana Simone White

16. What a young age to give
Birth.
Sunny San Diego, California,
the year is 1973, and its Fall.
California had always been quite
liberal, free of many social critics.
Shortly after birth, she was
given away to my
great grandmother.
Growing up in the 80’s was so
different. One side of the road
was red, the other was blue.
All night bullets flew.
And then finally they moved.
She now lived in a large yellow
house with an oversized pool in
the back yard, blue and deep.
But during that time, her mother
still ran the streets, but now she was alone.
Only thing my mom knows about her father
were his hazel eyes.
Years came and went, and now
it was time for college. Afraid of
both sides of the streets, she stayed
indoors, and never went out much.
Shelter prevents growth and learning.
She chose to come all the way to
The Virginia State University.
Just like high school she joined
the band, and soon came a man.
And two years later a baby, and
3 years after that, another, me.
A then he was too gone.
Patterns.