Life in Jeopardy
Poem by Liz Blue // Art by Fernando Amaro

My life isn't all fun n' games
It all started when I was born at the end of May
I was the pride and joy of my parents
But if I look around me today my daddy is nowhere to be found
Just his dog tag around my neck every god damn day
In 2005, I'm turning 22
What does that mean?
Plenty more days ahead of me, I hope and pray
Even in the 408 there are plenty of days I roam
Through the streets, different hoods, with plenty of demons
Hiding in the shadows of misery and pain, that's the devil in me
But I see a light, guiding me more
Toward the better things in life.
Love, family, a few friends that are still down for me
And college applications, sitting in front of me
Which will I choose?
Stay a dope fiend, broke constantly,   never sober not even in front of my mother
Or
Get a job,   get a degree and maybe one day I'll find the love of my life who will
One day be able to be my legal wife
Who I can come home to every night
This is my life that is in jeopardy
And I know right from wrong but the days are long without that joint in my hand, blazing
Wherever I am, not giving a damn about anything else just getting as messed up as I can
So the buzz is just around the corner but what happens after it's gone, you gotta
Do it all over as if the record was repeating itself over and over
If I go sober, then everything should look so simple when it really ain't, it takes
Hard work along with motivation
Again this is my life in jeopardy and when I do get that degree then doors should open for
Me, more responsibility comes with the maturity

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