Discernment

by Chris L. Butler

Tito Texidor III

When you look into my eyes realize that I am a prize I am golden, a king in all his glory. When you look into my eyes, realize There is a pain many will never feel. A pain that can only be seen from my optics. That is why when I speak my truth, I’m told I have, ‘a vivid imagination.’ But what it really boils down to is fear. Fear that everything society loves is a lie. But the revolution is not coming It has already arrived The time is now. Open your eyes see the problem in its entirety, zooming in on my pain as if you had binoculars Realize the truth right before you When you see your favorite athlete. See Me When you see your favorite rapper. See me When you see your favorite actor. See me Since you cannot see my pain Believe me, and Remember my struggle is not subjective. It is universally applied to my people With the sharpness of a machete, heated iron, ignited by indecency A weapon held tightly regardless of one’s ability to see the truth. So now is the time for correction. Now is the time to sit in reflection.

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Chris L. Butler is an Afro-Dutch writer from Philadelphia based in Houston. He has published work with Versification, The Bayou Review, on Medium, and the New Pages Blog. Follow him on Medium here: https://link.medium.com/7Pj1ZoBMc7