Life As I Know It

by Vanessa Louise Day
(Florence, Arizona, United States)

Growing up was tough.
The money was low.
Living off welfare was rough.
Everyone should know.
Mom was sick.
Dad wasn't there.
Light came from a candle wick.
And at times I didn't care.
There was barely food in the fridge.
It's hard living in the hood.
When all you have is a smidge.
We did all we could.
And it shows it.
But that's life as I know it.