Foster Care

A child of the state
Makes me feel like
I’m locked up in
Prison
Waiting to be risen
A child of the state
Is like putting frosting
On a cake just to add
Flavor
It’s like a foster kid
Waiting to bid
For a permanent life
Eighteen or Parents
That will sacrifice
The rest of life
To make a child of
The state
Feel like life is
More than frowns
Being a child of the
State is more & more
Tears in my eyes
It hurts being a child
Of the state
Because I’m more
Than a child
It’s like I have
Know style
And I’m forced too
smile

School is my worst enemy!

Because my friends
Run and betray me,
They sit back and make fun of me
They gossip, and bring more company
School is my worst enemy
Because my teachers teach, but don’t instruct me
They read, but where’s the mystery?
School is my worst enemy
Because there’s no where
For me to run,
The sun rises
And I try too hide
Because I have to come and
Face my pride,
And try and fight,
My worst enemy

Brittney S. Turner

Who will be the one?

Stand up to
Those that try to
Put you down
Stand out to,
Those that; want the facts
Speak up for
Those that, can’t
Speak out for
Those that hold back,
Be the one that finishes first
Be the one that’s determined
“Determined” to stand out
Be the one that’s “lion like”
The one that’s; bold and tuff
Be the one to lead the crowd,
The one to shout! Be the one to make a joyful noise
Unto the LORD!
Be the one to make things right,
Be the one to step up? To the plate
And stop the hate, who will be the one
To LOVE? , and not discriminate
Who will be the one that has faith?
Who will be the one?
To build us up;
When we’ve given up
Who will be the one to motivate us?
When there’s no energy in us
Who will be the one to love us?
When there’s no one for us,
Who will be the one?
To build us up, when we can’t get up
Who will be the one?
To say hold on, when it feel like all hope is gone?
Who will be the one?
To stand up!
When I am weak
Who will be the one?
Who will be the one?
To say I’m not what
They say; that I am
Who will be the one?
That is determined
‘Determined’ to stop running,
‘Determined’ to stop ‘fronting’
And what they call ‘stunting’
So who will be the one?
To break strongholds;
And persecute those that do wrong
Who’s going to be the one?
To stand on solid ground,
And turn around when,
The enemy comes around?
Who will be the one?
Brittney S. Turner

Change Has Come!

As a young African American “yes I can”
As a young Black Woman “yes I can”
Because I’ve been inspired, encouraged, and motivated
To dream big dreams,
To aim higher,
And to achieve my goals
“Yes I can”
As an African American
I can now pick myself up and
Dust myself off
“Like Barack Obama said”


The Dream has been realized
My thoughts and my mind
Have been un-paralyzed
As a Black Woman
Hope has come alive,
My faith has taken over,
And my pride has cried,
Tears of joy

Many of us African Americans
Said that this would never happen!
We are the ones that marched in the 60’s?
But guess what?
Martin Luther King
Took us to the top
And promised us a promised land
And look where we are standing!
Over the United States of America
With “Barrack Obama”
Head of the table
And “I’m not talking about
The dinner table”
“America” Reality has come,
Reality is here and
I’m very proud to be
Part of African American History
As African Americans
“Yes we can”

We have to take accountability
For our actions,
And responsibility
For our mistakes
“Yes we can”

We have to challenge
Ourselves to do better,
And be better citizens
“Yes we can”

We have to inspire,
Our young people
And encourage them,
To have dreams that
Are above and beyond
Our expectations
“Yes”
Let the young people,
Be our next generation,
To lead our nation,
Out of false hope,
And into hope for a better future,
And, “Yes we can”

Because, we will not be discouraged,
And we will not be put down,
By negative people,
We will be rebuilt,
From scratch,
And work our way to the top,

“Yes we will”

We will grow in each other,
And teach each other new things,
And we will learn from each other,
“Yes we can”

And, “yes we will”

Together we will lead,
Together we will succeed,
Together we will accelerate,
And together,
We will Change America!


Brittney S. Turner