Monedas

This is Django
Smoke of rhymes

It was two in the afternoon and my little girl wakes me up
She says, "Dad, I’m hungry and the fridge is empty."
I already went to get food and today no one opens the door
You gotta feed me or you’ll find me dead on the floor.

Honey, I’ve searched for work everywhere
"Dad, I need my school supplies, it’s not fair."
My love, everything in its time, if not today, then tomorrow
"Dad, I started school over a week ago, it’s hard to swallow."

The need weighs me down and society lies to my face
I was locked up once, it’s my past that’s a disgrace.
They won’t give me a job, I owe everyone I know
Tell me what the hell do they want, for me to be a crook again, bro?

How do I get clean, how do I change my life?
When doors keep closing and my daughter asks for a bite?
I’ve fought enough for a lost cause, it’s true
I searched everywhere and all I find is a way to get through.

7:27, I straighten my tie
I look in the mirror, put on my silver watch, oh my.
I head to the kitchen and while I’m at it
My daughter comes running, hugs me, and gives me a kiss, that’s it.

"Dad, how are you? How did you wake up today?"
I’m perfect, honey, just thinking of you, I drifted away.
I make breakfast, we sit down at the table
Before we start, she always says a prayer, that’s stable.

"May there be food in the house where there’s poverty
And may God bless all those who face life’s severity."
She’s my drive, she’s my push, my strength, my light
I came from the bottom, and for her, I’ll fight.

The streets were tough, they caught me in their snare
Now I work in an office and even drive a Mercedes, I swear.
I work legally, I don’t commit crimes
If I made a mistake before, I won’t repeat those times.

I kissed her on the forehead and said, "Sorry, little one"
Today I’ll fix everything so hunger won’t be my gun.
I pulled out the piece I had hidden in the drawer
Hoping it works, it’s been gathering dust for sure.

When I thought of dedicating myself only to my girl
I said I wouldn’t go back to the streets, no matter the whirl.
But if she’s hungry and demands what I breathe
They’d rather see me dead than give me a reprieve.

I always showed up at different institutions
They all saw my past and threw up objections.
I always hit the streets looking for a job
Today I hit the streets, but to find some cash, I sob.

I dropped her off at school and headed to the office
I always remember the past with every bum on the corner, it’s a process.
But that doesn’t matter much, today I have a new experience
I live for my daughter and work for her existence.

Sitting at my desk, I remember with longing
How I lived lost, and my daughter gave me hope, strong and bonding.
The hours drag on, and I’m not close to her side
I feel her unprotected, I’m her only guide.

It was almost three, and I wanted to see her
I decided to take a break to go pick her up, dear.
I left the office and drove to the school
For me, having lunch with her is the ultimate jewel.

I waited on the corner, she was the first to come out
It was a surprise for her, she didn’t know I’d be about.
I waited a few seconds, she came to surprise me
But then I raised my arms so she could see me.

She shouted, "Dad!" and ran to give me a hug
And from twenty meters away, a gunshot rang, a thug.

I spent my only sun on drugs to remember those times
When I had no one and just eased the climb.
I swear today I’ll buy food
For my daughter, so she can be nourished, that’s my mood.

Why the hell steal when even the cops want a cut?
I’m desperate, my daughter cries for food, it’s a rut.
Screw it if to get it I have to take more lives
Tell me who can judge me if I tried to survive?

God is my witness, He knows all that I did
I went through a school with a gun, I was a kid.
A Mercedes on the corner with a guy by its side
I approached the car and pulled out the piece, I won’t hide.

The guy raised his arms like he was asking for help
I shot him in the back and said, "You’re a little whelp."
I won’t go back to prison, and don’t be a snitch
I got in the car, the keys were in the switch.

I backed out in first gear, quick was my response
I looked out the window, a girl by the body, a terrible ensconce.
She cried and screamed, "It’s my dad, he’s dead!"
Tell me who can judge me for what I’ve done, I dread.
(But I know that to judge me, that girl has the right, instead.)