Blinded, By Substance

Anthony Brown

It makes us feel so hollow. 

We love, one another. 

Who could wake up, for tomorrow? 

To swim, you have to swallow. 

This hard pill, of truth, 

makes us better than living. 

One day, you’re thriving. 

The next, you’re found slumped over. 

Introducing: this harsh reality. 

Even the most beautiful of souls 

can be found in a ‘shocking’ tragedy. 

Who are we? 

Who are we to immediately judge? 

Do you know the situation, based on context clues? 

No. 

The artwork is missing from the frame. 

The frame was already given by another unknown individual. 

Is it cracked? Chipped? 

Are you sure there aren’t any blemishes? 

Do we cover ourselves with so many lies, 

that it masks the overall picture? 

Look at it from a different perspective. 

Instead of focusing so much on one thing, 

open your mind to the whole thing. 

Everyone shares a struggle, 

but most never want to reveal it. 

Darkness aligns itself with sunshine. 

The ones who know most, could be the ones who deceive. 

Is this really a party? 

Or is it just an excuse? 

On, and on. More importantly, do the best you can. 

Falling from a staircase. 

That doesn’t mean, you can’t reclimb every step. 

No frame is perfect. 

Sure, in the moment it could. 

Give it time, give it space. 

Give yourself, a reason to give it space. 

Enjoy flourishing as you are now, 

for when you never know. 

You truly, never know when yourself, 

or others end up 

Being blinded, by substance. 

Take care of yourself, always stay wary.