Seen Some Things....

This poem was inspired by a photo by Katherine Minott who is a fantastic artist specializing in Collage and Fine Art Photography. If you have never seen her work - check it out!

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Do the lines on my face

tell a story of horror

or of grace?

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Can you look at me and

tell I've suffered for my

right to be free, or is

that eclipsed under the

'whiteness' of me?

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No one has ever persecuted

me for the color of my skin

or called me a terrorist for

my beliefs and religion but

I have been prejudged and

spat on for who I loved

more than just a smidgen.

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Do the bags under my eyes

paint a picture of sleepless

nights or endless delight?

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For I have had both and

so much more. Trauma from

love and pain one could hardly

ignore but since trauma is

the hidden plague, if I smile

it becomes vague and unnoticed

by all because they think

you're not really badly hurt

unless they see you fall.

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Do my wrinkled hands paint a

picture of days full of strife?

or do they show the gentle

touch of loved ones held tight?

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I've loved and lost and loved

again, had deep kisses that I

thought would never end and

stab wounds that may never heal

but one thing is for certain

my life has been real.

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Do my wet eyes tell you if I'm

happy or sad? Do you imagine

my life to be good or bad?

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I've spent "mini lifetimes"

worrying about death and taxes

like most people do, but I've

also carried guilt, regret and

traumatic moments fact is, I've

wanted to die a time or two.

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Does the frown on my face tell you

I'm ready to throw my life away?

Or grant myself a 'stay'?

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I've had foreign adventures,

kisses on ferryboats, written

poetry I considered masterpieces

and what that denotes is I have

lived, good and bad, most

importantly survived, bled ink,

partied and most of the time

I've thrived.

And...

I've been close to giving up more

than a few times but now I take life

day by day, paint my hours with rhymes

and enjoy the rest of my life one

moment at a time.

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Thanks for reading! -Sam