I was Born in a Trailer, and I'll Die in a Trailer

A love poem from a 17-year-old South Cackalacky beau.

Baby, I was born in a rent-to-own mobile home.
My daddy couldn't get off his shift at the factory, and Mama didn't want to call an ambulance.
She just had to wait two more hours, but I wouldn't have it. I wanted out.
You know how some women are in labor for days? 
Well, I was out before pop’s thirty-minute lunch break. 
I came out right on that couch where we first kissed.
Maybe that's gross, or maybe that's God. 
I think my mama’s faith brought you to me. She woulda loved you.

Baby, times are changing so fast.
Til now, the dime bags I been selling in the parking lot have been enough to make ends meet, 
But we got another mouth to feed now, so that’s gotta stay a side hustle, right?
My fast food job sure as hell ain’t gonna feed us.
And baby, you still gotta finish school. You gotta do it for both of us.
You could start those cosmetology classes and graduate with a license,
and I can work night shifts so we’ll save money on childcare. 
I’ll get one job - two jobs - no three, whatever it takes. 

Baby, I promise that I can take care of you and this baby. 
Maybe I’ll go out like my pappy, toiling away with a choir of machinery for 12 hours.
Or maybe I’ll be like my uncle, start as a layman doing electricity and work my way up.
Better yet, I’ll be a welder. They’re in high demand ‘round here.
You know, a friend of mine makes 18 an hour,
cleaning hospitals, but he needed school for that.
You’re right, I need a job now, not later. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing.
Baby, I’ll make good money soon, I promise.

You know, I think I'll live and die like this. 
Living just to work, working just to live. My body will hurt more every day.
Just like my parents and their parents before them.
Baby, I might never be able to retire but I’ll choose this life for you.
Now, I know you’re nervous. But I won’t be like my old man. 
I won’t get bitter with time and numb myself with a bottle.
Hell, I won’t drink ever again. I’ll stop now.
Baby, I won’t scare you no more, I promise. 

Baby, I'll get us a rent-to-own mobile home. 
Put it on my uncle's land ‘til we can buy our own. We can be just like our parents. 
We make do with houses we can barely afford,
Fill a double wide with kids that will never do enough to keep it clean,
Get a dog too, and never be able to get all the fur off our clothes.
We’ll deal with the ants and the broken A/C as we go along, 
And I’ll be happy as long as you keep loving me. 
I’ll cherish every moment of it.