Overcome the Odds

I hate statistics 
because I have 
defied all odds

Raised by a 
single mom 
no father 

She had me 
at the age 
of only 16 

Many step-dads 
in and out 
bad influences 

3 more siblings 
3 different dads 
I was the oldest 

Mom abused drugs 
before finally 
growing up 

2 failed marriages 
then finally 
settled down 

To the dad 
of my youngest 
two siblings 

He was a wreck 
alcohol abuser 
bad tempered 

Abusive to mom 
and us kids 
mentally unstable 

9 different 
public schools 
total before 8th grade 

I got good 
at making new friends 
out of necessity 

Home was Hell 
the devil my 
step-dad 

Subject to every 
type of abuse 
known to mankind

High-school dropout 
teenage pregnancy 
emancipated age 17 

Finally free from 
an unstable and 
undesirable environment 

I hate statistics 
because I have 
defied all odds 

I've never hit a woman 
I'm not dead from an overdose or suicide 

I battled my demons 
with alcohol but never 
led to doing drugs 

I have remained 
a good father
to my son 

I've held a job 
and always
have worked hard 

Sure I have 
my flaws 
but dont we all 

I've learned 
about mental health 
and how to grow 

A lesson I wish 
our schools 
promoted more 

I got my GED 
I have a great 
paying job 

Statistics are just 
very misleading sometimes 
our hearts and minds 

Can overcome all math 
If we can realize 
not all things are our fault