but he's your brother

But he’s your brother, mom I don’t give a fuck!

But he’s your brother, dad I know I have the worst luck .

But he’s your brother, but what about me?

It’s always respect your elders, but aren’t they supposed to care for their young as a good mentor?

Aren’t elders supposed to set the example?

Aren’t elders supposed to pave an easier way for those who come after?

But my elder brother felt more like a younger one

And I tried to give him advice but at one point, I was so fucking done

You know when they said not to go below the belt they meant emotionally too?

Because I won’t be your punching bag anymore when you feel blue

I didn’t pick up your calls

I changed the amazon password

I will put my peace first

Because it felt like you would gladly watch the world burn if it meant that you weren’t alone in your suffering

You have the best luck but you act like you’re cursed

But what about when you outed me to mom and dad?

You didn’t even care how it would make me feel

You used my sexuality as a weapon of steel

But what about when you ran away from home? No not the first time, the second

The first time, you jumped out of your second story window just to run away from anyone holding you accountable

The second time, we chased you through downtown Holly Springs in flip flops until we were no longer able

Screaming and pleading for you to stop running

And when we lost you I cried thinking you were gone forever, forever missing

But you came back all right

Not even 12 hours later but that same night

Didn’t even care to ask for forgiveness and pout

You didn’t say anything as you got the keys and took your car to cookout

But what about when you and dad almost got in a fist fight

Y’all would have thrown hands if mom hadn’t stood between you two like a guiding light

But what about the third time you dropped out of college

Dad said it’s okay if you don’t want to be there

We could have gotten that semester tuition back if you’d given the heads up so you could take a break from life to catch some air

But what about when you told me that it was okay when I was bi but not okay now that I’m a lesbian

Because now that I’m a lesbian, there’s no chance I’d end up with a cis man

And when we sat in waffle house, I told you that you’d never get an invite to my wedding because when it comes to homophobia I’m not playing

But what about when you punched holes in the walls?

We couldn’t move from Chicago until your door got fixed after dad made a few calls

But he’s your brother, mom his evolution is not my responsibility

But he’s your brother, dad it’s up to him to be free

Lexi told me we’re teachers to each other in every lifetime

She’s also a Leo and said that before we came to earth we made a promise to help heal this family big time

So will you teach me?

So will you help heal this traumatized family with me?

Your personality can be so extreme, but it’s taught me a few lessons that could make us a good team

You’re so stubborn and you won’t stop until you succeed

All your life you heard that 1 in 10,000 go pro

But you never listened to their doubts because you knew you had what it took to score the goal

And I’m so sorry that your mental health makes you feel so down

I can’t wait to see you smiling as your head holds the crown

You didn’t come this far just to suffer

You’ll take it all the way to soar

Bashirr Sulaiman Morray, the stadium will roar

And I hope you tell your story

Tarot by Bianca says you’re meant to be a great speaker, trust me

Don’t let anyone distract you from your destiny

I hope you teach all those little black boys to stand in their authenticity

That black boy joy is not a slogan put on T-shirts to make money

I hope you teach all the boys and men to put their mental health first

That their value will never lie in their looks or cars or net worth

That their value lies in their evolution

That when women say “I hate all men” it’s because they’re tired of screaming about the solution

And that solution starts with accountability

When you tell your homies to not to catcall a girl, that’s integrity

When you admit your wrongs, that’s honesty

When you listen to the first no, that’s safety

When your actions align with your words, that’s dependability

When you strive to be your highest self, that’s divinity

If you feel scared, that’s okay

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and put your faith in the almighty

But he’s your brother, and I wouldn’t have it any other way

He’s my brother so fuck what the haters say

He’s my brother and we’ll protect each other until we’re both six feet in the grave

for my brother, a semicolon with a heart is held on my right wrist

we’re both survivors who’ll KO intergenerational trauma with our fists