Today in the Hood

From the book Tales from the hood

    Today in the hood I saw a black man without a job, but he hadda smoove hustle. I saw a black teenage-girl wit her pants sagging; yet, she was wearing a pair of men’s plaid boxer-shorts underneath. I saw a black woman, 23 years-old wit six kids; all by one guy. I saw an old pimp who had an old ho, who had an old tattoo that use to be a monarch butterfly; only now it looks like a dusty old moth. I saw a brotha wearing his pajamas; outside. I saw a homeless black dude sitting on a fence; he asked me if I had two dolla’s to spare, but all I had was fiddy-cent.

    Today in the hood I saw a tiny baby ant struggling to carry a crumb that was three times its own size, and it did it; then I squashed it. I saw the hand-writing on the wall; written in spray paint. I saw vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed houses; with the power-n-gas still on inside. I saw in the headlines; how a guilty white man walked free, while an innocent black man died from a knee on his neck. I saw the line that was drawn in the sand; only it was on an etch-a-sketch. I saw a high speed chase; one man walking very-fast to buy some dope.

    Today in the hood, I saw an unfortunate accident, as opposed to a fortunate one. I saw a white woman who hadda white baby. I saw the face of despair, the voice of reason, and an extra-long arm of the law. I saw a guy who burned his bridges behind him; only now he’s gotta find anutta way to-da liquor sto. I saw the stuff that dreams are made-of; sold for back taxes. I saw a pat-on-the-back, a slap-on-the-wrist, and a sly wink from the eye of blind justice. I saw a child who had all the makings to be president; born in a homeless shelter. I saw 2-PAC.

    Today in the hood I saw a never-ending story end. I saw grass grow, paint dry, and a watched pot boil. I saw a driver texting while driving, but they didn’t push send. I saw love being abused and taken for granted; at the strip club. I saw hand-outs, charity, and spoken words of wisdom; said to help the healing process begin. I saw a man pushing a baby stroller that actually hadda baby inside of it. I saw a skinny woman wearing a pair of spandex stretch-pants; but they didn’t span. I saw the bald-headed guy with the Afro who lives upstairs over a vacant lot.

    Today in the hood, I saw an elderly Cambodian woman wearing a winter coat-n-boots; it was 85 degrees outside. I saw Vietnamese women manicuring the nails of the women in their salons. I saw a Mexican driving in a van; alone. I saw a guy who looked like Al-Qaida standing in the alley. I saw a Hindu owner of a gas station whose wife wore a veil over her face. I saw an African woman who wasn’t black. I saw an Asian working in a restaurant; taco bell. I saw a Hmong family tending to a community garden. I saw a Priest, a Rabbi, and a skih of the guru.

    Today in the hood I saw two good ol’ boyz who actually drove their Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry. I saw a distraught mother whose heart was broken in three. I saw the child that it took an entire village to raise; fleeing from the law. I saw a rut turning into a grave. I saw second chances and opportunity; at potawanami casino. I saw a man who had a hint, but he didn’t have the slightest clue. I saw mental illness standing on the corner begging for just a few crumbs, while health-care stood on the opposite corner, waving its hands like it just didn’t care.

    Today in the hood I saw roaches in a rat race. I saw a woman with pretty eyes and when I told her so; she politely smiled at me. I saw my-bad, on-me, and got-it-like-that. I saw a child who created a new twist to an old plot; just for fun. I saw a republican and a democrat at the same Walmart, buying the same thing; only one had a cart, the other had a hand-basket. I saw the man who be dhat baby’s pappy. I saw a baby momma crying on a bus stop just because her ol’ man did what she knew he was eventually gonna do with his other baby momma.

    Today in the hood I saw Bigfoot, Shrek and Jason. I saw determination driven by the little engine that could. I saw the compassion of a community after being left in turmoil over a violent act of aggression in their neighborhood. I saw a man reach for his gun. I saw a zombie and a ninja. I saw the word and the word was God. I saw a one-legged-man who literally had one leg to stand-on; standing on a ladder, painting a sign over a grocery sto. I saw on the news how a pro athlete, a movie star, and a politician, all swear before living God that they didn’t; but they did.

    Today in the hood I saw people living just for the joy of life. I saw an unsavory character, a person of interest, and somebody who just looked guilty. I saw a woman who needed a good man bad. I saw a family so-terrified with fear to live in their own country and even-more afraid to die outside of it. I saw two books judged by their covers; playboy and the Bible. I saw a rich man and a po man, and neither had good sense. I saw 6 degrees of separation in a girl whose uncle knew a guy who had a cousin who knew the brother of the man who met Andy Griffin.