heights higher than yours

because her backpack is strapped
10 times tighter on her back
than yours will ever
be, and
when tempted
she'd sleep with her books
though you will never
but sleep with those 'cooch' crooks
you will-
let them rob you, looks
like we have a winner
contestant number three passed her test
but can't eat dinner
moms can't send that monthly check
her friends seem to get
instead she sends her own check
home, so moms won't fret

so in that backpack
strapped so tightly on her back
are her obligations
and worries
and promises of dreams
unimaginable to her mother's
high school educated mind
or sister's and brother's
street kind

she'd find
no kind street
to make ends meet
but if she'd leap
forgetting no afters or befores
her reasons help her reach
heights higher than yours