Poem by Ronald Ray

WHO IS THIS CHILD?

His mother gave birth to him at 15 years old. She told him he could talk before he could walk. She was turned away for having him so young. Her family was angry for this. Her pain kept her from giving him a hug or a kiss. This child named Beloved, why? Because everyone who met him loved him as a child. Too famous for his own good. The Abusive Stepfather hated that he knew the whole neighborhood. He kept this child from school, so locked away that he decided to run away one day. 11 years old, the running began. By 15, gone for good. Doing whatever to survive. Whatever he could. Prison, drugs, homelessness were all his life. Some said he would not live. Cold were his ways sometimes, and not a moment without shame. As he grew, he learned life was not a game. However, as much as people spoke in the negative, he knew he could and would live! No matter how dark life would get sometimes, he never lost his mind. He thanked God for staying by his side and for keeping him alive. Mom is his friend today. His dreams are becoming real every day.

Who is this child? Who was so wild? This child is free! This child is me!

Ronald Ray