They Wear the Crownby Doreen Ambrose-Van Lee

They wear Obama regalia on their chests, necks, backs and crowns Young men with hues ranging from bright golden to mahogany brown Some that weren't even able to vote in the '08 election Due to prior commitments But they show their support and echo the World's sentiments As they hang in doorways Of neighborhood businesses Thinking of more ways to earn a saw buck Because they've run afoul of the law And haven't had any luck Selling CD's, DVD's and well you know-- I'm not here to judge or expose This is just a poem, you know, it's only prose... Anyway, they sit on stoops in the summer's sun Talking 'bout swagger And conquests with pants saggin' Passing time and braggin' At times oblivious to the world going on around them Unable to grasp for grants for higher education or training Because of the stipulations on the books pertaining to people who spend time far far away from home Okay, again, I digress, like I said this is only a poem... But if they only took the time to find out about Offender reentry programs Maybe, they wouldn't contribute to the recidivism rate Because they'd have options as to their fate And soon they'd become model citizens and emulate Our intelligent, courageous and outspoken head of state But until then they hang in doorways and sit on stoops Wearing Obama regalia On their chests, necks, backs, and crowns