Read Reggie’s Drunken Karaoke Column here.
Bodega
Living life like a bodega
Cuz I don’t know what’s in store for me
I been expecting less from people
And started wanting more for me
Some friends thought they were family
So I had to orphan me
Thank you for the content
Set the endorphins off in me
Seen too much to be this damn ignorant
Greatness requires dedication
The hard work seems imminent
Naivety lingers in the air
But things ain’t so innocent
Living life like a bodega
Cuz I don’t know what’s in store for me
So much suffering done to those
That look more like me
I remember walking to the corner store
With a couple of dollars in hand
Now I don’t know if I’ll stand
Walking to the store with these same hands
I’m afraid of the consequences and those that’ll reprimand
Those that’ll look at me like I’m less than a man
I miss the carefree days
With not a responsibility in the world
Not work but play
I remember thinking getting older
It couldn’t be bad
I don’t remember thinking it’ll be this sad
And now I remember thinking why older ones look so mad
Just let us all survive this living a fad
The Abyss
Drink up
We all drunk in love
More like drunk in stupor
Out of body
And our life taking an Uber
This year we been really along for the ride
I don’t know what’s more scary
Outside or what’s on the inside
Lately it feels like I’m going to burst at the insides
Negative thoughts lurk but they won’t get inside
Surrounded
In the midst of the abyss
We been dancing with the devil
They trying to seal our fate with a kiss
Enveloped by rage we just ball up our fists
I raise my hand and keep it high
Jay mentality I’m proud to fade to black
I’m tired a building defenses when all they seem to do is attack
Take the chains away from you
Since you used to stabbing me in the back
You can’t make up a façade since understanding is what you lack
Reggie Johnson is a poet reigning from Cincinnati, Ohio. Starting at the age of nine, Reggie has been writing poetry through their love of music and life experiences. He has 9 books now available on Amazon. You can follow him on Twitter @r_d_johnson and on IG @rdjohnsonwrites.