By Kim Russell
Remember when we’d play Whisper Down the Lane?
An experiment to see if the message would stay the same
All along, it was designed for the message to change
Cause confusion
Welcome intrusion
& embrace delusion despite the truth staring you in the face
Kinda like that man you said been staring you in the mirror
Telling Jealous lies about who you really are
How Foolish to try separating you from the truth
Let me be your reflection of dispute
Offer Refuge from the cycle of Love & Pain that has you so wired
& Rumble on your behalf when you’re feeling too tired
to admit that you need someone to show up in the same way you would
Sometimes you just need a you
Ready to pull up & on demon time too
Blasting knuck if you buck, cuz we don’t play about you.
Tell that man inside the mirror to catch me outside
how bout that
Drop a pin to where he at
so he can catch these words of affirmation
I heard he’s hungry for the truth, so I’m ready to cook,
Drop a prayer for his redemption with words from the good book,
I have some time today
& I have a lot to say
Imma leave him salty like Lots wife when he staring back at me
It’s plain to see
He’s playing Icarus to the Sun
He don’t know a King from a God
His 5G Tower cannot compete with your power
This Hour, I will be your walking will and testament
That you are greater than any human measure
Fuck a National Treasure, Nicholas Cage could never crack your code
Your caged bird sings as warning…
That there will be Dead Roses in the morning because
Chances are your Jean Grey is just an avatar
Look how magical you are when your Phoenix burn it all down & rise through the fires
That inner Atheist can speak the craziest, but his own demise was sired
When you resurrected new life into the Grey parts of your anatomy…
I have a few capes, if he want to be super mad at me
But I came to speak life into my friend
Because when you win, I win, we thick & thin.
There’s no blood thicker than the covenant.
Yea, I remember when we’d play whisper down the lane, but today we unlearn those unwanted lessons, walk
like true players & leave it to the game…
Because some messages are meant to stay the same.
Like…Whoever you’re meant to become, you already are.
Because behind the smoke & mirrors, your true essence is never too far
Kim Russell
Kim Russell is a Philadelphia based poet, storyteller, and journalist.
