Freedom Writer!

I'm a Freedom Writer, but I wasn't part of the class
I wrote about my experiences as I dwelled on the past

'97 was a good year, I can even remember '93,
I started at Wilson High back then, my mom was proud of me.

I've watched the Freedom Writers movie, it's filled with inspiration
I caught a couple of tears, life was good before probation

I wonder what my life, turned out to be?
Would have I come to prison, asking God to set me free?

If I was a Freedom Writer, would my life had turned out great?
If I kept a diary of my thoughts, would I have seen barbwire gates?

If I were a Freedom Writer, who would play me in the movie?
I'll probably be an extra, 'cause not a lot of people knew me.

I can still be a Freedom Writer, despite it being many years.
Tell my story to people upcoming and how to avoid those tears.

I went to Wilson High, I can remember my poem,
Life was stress free, that's when I had a proud mom.

I had a proud dad, I even had a cute prom date,
But also remember the tragedy, a young black girl being raped.

In Las Vegas in '97, I think it was after spring break,
by Jeremy and David, who unfortunately, were my classmates.

I'm a Freedom Writer 'cause I've endured a lot of pain,
I've also been betrayed, as if my brother was Cain.

I have nightmares, but freedom is what I seek.
My word are heartfelt, you can feel the pain when I speak.

I want to be somebody, but will people look at me strange?
Will they say "he can't" be a Freedom Writer, his mind is deranged

He's been to prison. What! You say that I can't change?
I want to turn in my prison number for a more positive exchange.

Something that's worthy 'cause prison life goes against the grain
I'm a Freedom Writer 'cause I got a lot on my brain.

I got a more positive outlook on life, they say it's too late
Better late than never! Who cares if I'm an inmate.

I can be better, despite I got a rep shot to hell
I'm a criminal and a writer with a helluva story to tell.

My main goal is to go to where I grew up at
Mary Butler Middle School, Wilson High! Where I threw my graduation cap.

High in the air, as it came down, pain was foreseen,
Had to live my life to go through it, hand prints on a glass screen.

Couldn't no longer hug my mom, I cried till where blood would pass,
Over my heart of tears, as I blew a kiss through the glass.

I'm a Freedom Writer, but still all I do is mope.
'Cause it's no way to mend a heart that always stays broke.

I'm a Freedom Writer, hey! I'm also a poet.
It was buried deep down in my heart and I didn't even know it.

It wasn't shown to me until they slammed the cell door
Till I cried out to God, scraping my knees on the concrete floor.

I'm a Freedom Writer, I can be a mentor to all,
Not to scare anybody, but tell about my tour behind the wall.

I'm a Freedom Writer, Ms. Gruwell wasn't my teacher who taught
I was in another class, cheating off papers, trying not to get caught.

As I sit back and think about my life, that is really ruined,
I'm still a Freedom Writer, still Rep Woodrow Wilson High Bruins.

It's Class of '97, if it wren't for prison, there'd be no fighting,
For my life, spilling pain on paper in my handwriting.

Please don't judge me, my life after high school, has been a real nail-biter
I express myself on paper while I'm in prison, and I'm a Freedom Writer!