Home Training
The lyrical account of growing up in the North, raised by a single Black mom from the South, who worked tirelessly to give me, her baby daughter, the best life she could with the very little she had.
Don’t be goin’ out there beggin’ for food like you ain’t got no Home Training.
You got All the food you will need, right here.
The boxed supermarket treats for those shallow cravings at the tip of your tongue
The smothered pork chops, black eyes peas, cornbread for the real cravings deep in your soul
Crack of dawn scrambled eggs, bacon, and grits waking up your stomach before your eyes
Wake up baby girl.
Home got All you need, right here.
Don’t be playin’ in the yard with your school clothes on like you ain’t got no Home Training.
We may not have much, but nobody’s going to look at my baby girl and tell.
Waking up early after triple shifts to iron ironclad creases into your clothes
Spending the last paycheck dime, making sure my baby girl stays dressed for success
There’s no way them school clothes gonna be getting messed up
Nuh uh baby girl, not on my watch!
There’s a separate play outfit for that, right here, with All the clothes you need.
Don't be beggin’ to stay over your friend’s house all the time like you ain’t got no Home Training.
You’ll be just as entertained, right here.
I keep the house clean, so you never have to be ashamed to bring your friends around
We’ll watch movies, but cover your eyes for the fresh parts
We’ll watch talk shows, where I’ll recap lessons and tell you how they apply to your life
Listen baby girl.
Where we lack in money, we make up in time spent right here, All the time we need.
Don’t be going off to that Ivy League school forgetting where you came from!
Keep food in your dorm! Eat and be prepared for emergencies.
Keep your area clean! Make sure it’s a place you’re never ashamed of.
Stop wearing those sweatpants every day! Try to look decent at least a few times a week.
And remember, you’re never too far from the place that’s got All you need.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.