No Is A Dangerous Word Poem by Dianna Nally

Terrified at sixteen, and some are even younger
It's time for another initiation.
Here's the gun, there's the car, but he's
not sure he wants to go as far
As to participate in the process of elimination.

It's time to put some work in for the homee's
and welcome to the big time son.
Just shoot the rivals on the corner, then put
your foot to the floor, and try not to lose the gun.

But he wanted nothing to do with the big time
He Say's he just fell into gang banging some how
But he knew what would happen if he didn't do it
So he pulled up closer and shot seven rounds into the crowd.

A gang is a serogate family, and they believe
it's their only resource of approval.
And they will always be there to back each other up
If they ever get into any trouble.

It's important to everyone in a gang that
others treat them with respect.
And they usually have the minors do the dirty work
So they don't have to deal with the public direct.

In some gangs if you don't show up for meetings,
they issue a B.O.S. (beat on sight)
And those who dare to dropp the flag,
WELL...I think I'll let you fill in the rest.

It's always hard to get out of a gang, but
it's not completely impossible.
But some say the only way to get out is by way
of the morgue.Which isn't very respectable.

People who aren't familiar with gangs
think these kids should just say no.
But in a gang NO can get you killed.
Then all you have left is a hole in
a mother's heart that can never be filled.
2/4/95