"Never Lie" By Samantha Skillings

"Never Lie"
By Samantha Skillings

No, the eyes never lie.
They just weep and cry.
They see too deep inside
How do I sleep at night
...with this on my mind?

Even if you looked at me
You cannot see my dreams.
You see only how I seem.
Ignore my flesh and blood
That'll just mess you up.
You must look in between
And pull apart my seams
To not only hear my unseen
soul's laughter and screams
But to feel what each means.
That's being human beings.
It's more than just genes.
My soul can't be disguised
So look into my eyes
And through my eyes.
You won't see any of the lies
That each of us hides behind.
I know it is a scary thought
Letting down guards that
we've only barely got.
But if we can't even act
human then we're clearly not.
We know to trust no one,
that shows it must go on.
Hate's been immortalized.
Love's been immoralized.
So it is no surprise
Ignorance is on the rise.
And no one hears when I try
to give a word to the wise.
There is no hope in your lies
It's dismal unless you open your eyes.

I feel a cold gaze.
It's just another
One of those days.
I'm just another
One of those ofays.
Look at me and see
A legacy of snakes.
See those who sold slaves
And died of old age.
See conquerors who take
Through murders and rapes.
Why wouldn't you be fearing me
If my people sneeringly
Brought yours only tyranny?
I want it all to erase
But these mistakes
Are impossible to shake.
You cannot escape
The stereotypes in your face
Even with rights for your race.
I look in the mirror
And hope it breaks.
Why? Because I
know what flows through
every one of my veins:
It's nothing but blood stains.
And for all this pain
It's myself I blame.
I've got no pride
Only racial shame.
And so my soul's cries
And shouts pour out through my eyes.

If we stand together
We cannot fall.
We can never fail.
Maybe one here and there
But never us all.
And never our soul:
That's what unites us.
That's what ignites us.
That's how we always knew
What wrong and right was.
Love goes on despite us
Because it's righteous.
And that's why they fight us.
They can't see
through their own lies
Because they cannot open their eyes.

Comments

[Raymond Wallace]

I very much enjoyed the wit and wisdom of Sarmantha Skillings in her poem "Never Lie". It was real to me and I found it a pleasure to read.

[Raymond L. Wallace Director Maine Amistad Arts Collective]

I had the pleasure of going to see the World Music event with Kinobe at Longfellow Square on Saturday, March 21, 2009. First let me say that the opening act Maia Ketee was fantastic. She was young and beautiful. When Ms. Ketee played the guitar it felt like a genuine reflection of her inner beauty. Her voice was clear, crisp, vibrant and soulful and the room thoroughly enjoyed her.

[Raymond L. Wallace Director Maine Amistad Arts Collective]

The concert at Longfellow Square on Saturday, March 21, 2009 opened with the lovely and impressive Naia Kete who wowed the audience with her skillful guitar and awesome vocals. Then Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa had the rhythm, soul, funk and flavor that had everybody moving before the night was done. They were thoroughly entertaining as they injected humor into their performance. They all clearly mastered the variety of instruments they were playing. Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa kept the audience moving and grooving as they played with passion, professionalism, power and fire. Now I understand why it was billed as a World Music Event as they are definitely World Class performers.