look
i don't know you
and you really don't know me...
but, listen.
we're family
and even though we were never really around each other much
i do care for you

little cousin
you've been hugging the block
hard
so hard
you're deep into that life
and it pains me
because as you change to accommodate it:
late nights, white tees, baggy jeans, jewelery
it darkens your beauty
and as it makes you money
it steals from you:
you're humanity
your will to do right
it blinds you
stealing your sight

little cousin
i've watched your immersion
all of us, we've watched.
we witnessed you testing the waters with a toe
and i saw you transition from experimentation to being in deep
now, complete submersion
you're underneath
drowning
drowning
in this destructive lifestyle
content to do so
not realizing, understanding that you are taunting your intelligence
and as they restrain you
i hope you realize that you've enslaved yourself with the choices you've made.

little cousin
i saw you in the newspaper, on the news
cuffed and escorted
you've chosen a path
and i'm not here to judge
but this isn't good
we're scared for you
please don't let us have to bury you before your time

like i said
i don't know you
and vice versa
but you're family
and i care for you
believe me
i do.