what is it that makes you so close-minded
so blind-sighted
by the world around you
you get offended by the smallest things
as if the world and the people in it owe something - as if you are the king
but you aren't are you
you are despicable, mad, and irritable
who has put that mask over your eyees
who has told you all of these lies
you are no different that us
no bigger, no better
we are the same
but you can't see it that way
you think we're different because we aren't your color
that we who are taller
are none less than a monster

so i am here to tell you that we are the same
we are the same species, phylum, and domain
our hair is different, yes, eyes and skin
but cut us open and you'll see that we're kin
open your eyes and realize
that we are made of the same ash and dust
that we all have the very same lust
the lust for freedom
for the death of jealousy
so don't come around just to claim
that you're bigger and better and that we're all insane
because i'll be quick to say that we are the same
like it or not
the fact cannot be fought

you are no different
no better, no more sane
so don't judge us because we won't be slain
by your filthy thoughts and hateful eyes
me and my guys - you cannot buy
so if you can't open your eyes, your mind, your thoughts
leave here and be gone

I still find myself thinking back to 1998 -
my brother died, my father cried, my stomach ached.
I still find myself thinking back to 1995 -
my brother lived, my brother laughed, he kept me warm at night.

Empty eyees and willful wrists and jeans with holes at the knees
Screaming voices making promises that our backsides couldn't keep
Scarred skin and broken noses, bruises gracing every inch
Between brothers, blood kept pouring from our fists
and hearts.

I remember he was older but most times too afraid to speak
I had to hold his hand behind his back when he held his graduation speech
He was captain of the football team and he led the boys quite well -
it was only when he got home, then he'd make my bottom lip swell.

Vacant words and stone-hard stares abd squared jaws with a few loose teeth
Hot-cold hearts beating loud in tact, a rhythm like a war drum
Between brothers, blood kept pouring from our hearts.

I still find myself thinking back to 1995 -
my older brother, my best friend, who kept me warm at night,
he'd beat me up once a week but yelled he loved me everyday,
I believed every single word that he shouted in my face.

Between brothers, blood kept pouring from our fists and hearts.
Between us, hate kept flooding from our eyes and scars.
All the tears, we shed them together, over you and me.

1998 was a rough year.