War Zone

You don't know what it is, you don't know the deal
To hear shots at night, then hear tires squeal
Your mind starts racing, you're all confused
You can hear yourself praying, "please no more bad news"

Next comes the screams along with the running
I thought that they had stopped, but the shots keep coming
People are falling, racing past me
You jet into the house for roll call and a tally

Brenda's here all bubbly and bright
Yes! Be a good girl and you can sleep with me tonight
Sandra's here hogging the phone
Constantly tell Brenda to leave her alone

But where's Reggie my sweet little man
Maybe hiding under the bed with a joystick in his hand
What is it Brenda, please step up to the throne
You said Reggie slipped out with our neighbor Tyronne

What were you thinking Reggie, you know our drill
No outside at night alone, never ever, maybe until
Until you're old enough to be able to tell bad from good
Or until I can move us out of this neighborhood

My body tense up, what I gotta do isn't right
Walk out into this war zone in the middle of the night
When I see you little man and get your butt back home
I'm talking ultimate punishment, that's two weeks no phone

I snatched up Brenda, gave her a kiss
Told Sandra to get off the phone and watch her little sis
Embarking on the longest walk in my entire life
Seems like every step comes with extreme strife

Before hitting the corner the tears start flowing
My heart is racing in my chest from the not knowing
There's a thousand miles between now and then
Rounding the corner and there's gun smoke on the wind

From this far away, I can see through the tears
Two small bodies on the pavement drawing me near
Get down! Get down! I can hear ever so clear
But I'm being told by death, not to fear

Struck twice in the chest, I could see Reggie get up
We ran into each others arms and started to rise up
We would feel no more cold, no more heat
Looking back down now there's three lying in the street