How does one kill time while proctoring an End of Course exam for 4 hours? You write a song in your head. This was what i came up with this morning when i had extra time to reflect on my students and my community. This song does not reflect all of my students lives, but the more i get to know many of them, the more real stories like this become. – Daniel

GRADUATION SUICIDE

Chorus 1:

Monday mornin’
Here to take a test,
35 minds and we’re all in distress.
Wonderin’ why
we should even try our best,
Dear God I got my pencil, can you do the rest?

Verse 1:
Wake up to babies cryin’
look outside and its pouring.
baby bottles empty but of course I hear mom snoring
probly wont get up til tomorrow with all the drugs I seen her doin’
but who can blame here now that pop is serving time in New Orleans.

My teacher said on friday,
“Make sure you eat a good breakfast”
too bad mom spent all our food money on a fancy necklace
today is no different
kush will be my only meal
All these people judging me if they only knew how I feel.
Cant focus on school with all these problems inside
4 years to go, no hope… graduation suicide.

Chorus 2:
Monday mornin’
Here to take a test,
35 minds and we’re all in distress.
wonderin’ why
we should even try our best,
Dear God I got my pencil, can you do the rest?

Verse 2:
“You may now begin your final exam”
BAM, the test hits the desk like WHAM.
My cousin just got shot but rather than lament,
you got me here taking a test worth 25 percent?

Bump that.
I don’t need algebra to strap on a gat
My new crew is all I need,
Ill protect them and they’ll protect me
From the unforgiving world and all the animosity,
a world that doesn’t care about A’s B’s and C’s
Cant focus on school with all these problems inside
Four years to go, no hope… graduation suicide.

Chorus 3:
Monday mornin’
Here to take a test,
35 minds and we’re all in distress.
wonderin’ why
we should even try our best,
Dear God I got my pencil,  can you do the rest?