All He Sees

A young boy born into a rough neighborhood,
Drugs and murder are commonplace.
His is a harsh, unkind childhood,
He has never known a loving embrace.
He desperately wants to be understood,
He looks for love in everyplace,
But his life is full of fake and falsehood.
Brutal crime has hardened his face,
He knows no other likelihood.
He knows someday the life taken will be his,
But he must prove his manhood.
His young heart is full of fear,
He does not know what peace is.
He wanted to be good,
But no one ever told him he could.