Who are your heroes?

My hero is the nine year old boy
bravin the five blocks to school
prayin not to be accosted by some fool
who's been plottin to jump him in
so his downward spiral could begin

My hero is the fifteen year old girl
courageously saying no to the boy
who's only wish is to make her his toy
treatin her like a man would his wife
not carin if he ruins her life

My hero is the twelve year old kid
who takes the beating for his little brother
knowin he won't get help from his mother
who's only concern is keepin her man
and anyway kids weren't in her plan

My hero is the eight year old daughter
who wakes up for 2 am feedings
without thinking of the sleep she's needing
prayin and holdin on to hope
that her mama will finally stop using dope

My heroes  aren't entertainers
Or lawyers with large retainers
They aren't doctors with their medications
Or athletes who take European vacations

My heroes aren't women or men
They're the abused and forgotten little children
The ones who aren't allowed to play
Because they're too busy tryin to make it through the day