Single Parenting
I belong to a clan of single parents. Every woman in my family has their own testimony of being a single mother, whether it was for months, years or decades. Single parenting is something that had led to “strong woman leadership” in my family. I do not wish to be a single parent but if the day came where I’ll have to be, I’ll be ok, knowing if five or more women in my family can raise or support children on their own, I’m just another statistic. I’ve watched my mother be a single parent for fifteen years so I’m proud to represent and speak about it.

Solid Rock
I’ve come a long way
Been on this earth for some time
Been rained on and overlooked
Still the solid rock shines

Nobody sees me as beautiful
Just another rugged stone
I’ve come a long way
And I’ve come here alone

I’m as hard as I can be
But I glitter in the sun
They call me “solid rock”
And I’m the only one

So when you pass me by
Think about what I am
And edgy stone on sand
Been broken down but I stand

I’m almost like a human
But I’ve been here for so long
And no matter what they say about us
We have to remain strong

I Get Mad At Myself When…
I separate myself from people
That are just like me.
They have the same problems
That I have.
Have experienced the same things that
I’ve experienced.

I get mad at myself when
I figure material things can bridge
The gaps in my life.
That they can heal my broken heart,
Or take up for missing things
In my life, such as a father.

I smile and try to be happy
When I know good and well
My mind is racing 1,000 miles
Per hour on the past and the
Fact that I’ll never be the best
Person that I can be.

I get mad at myself when
I keep quiet for so long and
Don’t allow myself to open up
And show people how much
I love and cherish them.
I get mad at myself when
I forget to tell God thank you
For waking me up and giving
Me another chance at life.

About the Artist
Sharavia Smith, a 15-year-old sophomore at Laney High School, finds her dreams in the dance and art industries. No matter her mood or emotion, whether it’s happy or sad, she overcomes it through making music and writing lyrics. She knows that in the future, the small things in life that she likes, like dancing, will become a big inspiration for kids struggling to find who they are.