What isn't seen

What isn’t seen (The pain we hide inside)--Slam Poetry By, Clark & Manuel

What do you see?

When you look at me?

When you look at him?

Do you see “us”?

Or do you see what you wish to see

Do you ignore the creases along our salted cheeks,

What do you see?

A man?

A white Man?

A brown man?

A stupid man?

A brilliant man?

What do you see?

For our tears have worn down our cheeks,

While forced smiles serve as the facade,

We want you to see.

What do you see?

I hope you only see the smiles

And not the scars.

How could you see?

The

Pain

We

Hide

Inside

I hope you don’t think too much about my sleeves

A drunken haze of redundant life,

Blurring the vision,

Focusing on the lonesome,

Pain filled silhouette that is me

Can you see? The pain filled soul that is me?

I couldn’t do anything

I could only sit there and watch,

Watch,

my pending nightmare

Unfold before my eyes

Crushing the sweet filled eyes

Of an innocent child,

An innocent child,

Under the heavy pressure of

A life-changing decision.

A beloved figure

Abruptly deprived of love and warmth.

What can one see?

Can one see what sadness one has known?

Even if we could, ones that we could understand?

Could we ever understand?

Can you see? The pain filled soul that is me?

An unwanted child

A broken family

Where was my childhood?

Can you understand an endless cycle of fear?

An unbreakable sadness?

She should have loved me

She did not love me

Could you understand a night all alone?

A week?

A month?

A year?

12 years?

Burning pain,

Rage

A shattered boy

Looking for some stability

Lost friends

and

meaningful lies.

How could you ever see?

The

Pain

Kept

Inside

A badge

A bullet

What do you see?

When you look at me?

When you look at him?