Once upon a time, in the heart of the ghetto,
Lived stories untold, where struggles echo.
A place where dreams flickered, but hope remained,
In the midst of adversity, resilience sustained.

Life in the ghetto, a battle every day,
Where challenges and hardships held sway.
But amidst the chaos, a spirit emerged,
Strong and unyielding, as dreams converged.

Children played in streets filled with laughter,
Their innocence shining, a beacon thereafter.
They danced to the rhythm of life's vibrant beat,
Finding solace in music, a temporary retreat.

Families united, bound by love and strife,
Supporting one another, through the struggles of life.
Neighbors became kin, a community so tight,
Together they fought, with all their might.

Yet, the ghetto's scars ran deep and wide,
Inequality and injustice, a constant tide.
But within those walls, resilience grew,
A determination to rise, to break through.

Education became a weapon, a path to escape,
A chance to rewrite destiny, to reshape.
Through knowledge and perseverance, they fought,
To break the chains, to prove their worth, they sought.

Once upon a time, in the life of the ghetto,
Lived stories of strength, of hope, and of woe.
But through it all, a spirit remained unbroken,
A testament to the human spirit, never to be forsaken.

So let us remember the stories untold,
Of those who fought bravely, with hearts bold.
For in the life of the ghetto, resilience thrives,
A testament to the power of hope that survives.

© Nate Parker