the GENDER issue / POETRY
Like Father, Like Sun
by El Lewis
WE ARE NOT KISSED AS SONS,
GODS WITHOUT LIGHT
UN-SUN-KISSED.
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FATHERS WHO FORGET TO FEED THEIR BOYS
GROW TO BECOME FAMISHED YOUNG MEN WHO FIGHT AND SIN. IMAGINE TELLING THAT MAN THAT “LOVE WINS."
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NEVER CRIED ALOUD. IN RETROSPECT, I NEVER WAS A CHILD. EMOTION CAUSES COMMOTION.
CAVING IN ON ME, AS AN ABYSS IS TO AN OCEAN.
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SABLE BOYS BECOME BLACK.
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WHEN WE HUG OUR BROTHERS
IT’S NEVER FOR LONG.
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WHEN WE KISS OUR MOTHERS.
WE NEVER ADMIT OUR WRONGS.
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SABLE BOYS BECOME BLACK.
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TRYING TO METICULOUSLY CREATE A LIFE
THAT IS NOT FOR US BUT FOR OTHERS.
TAUGHT THAT MY TRUTH IS TOO HIDEOUS BECAUSE OF ME AND HIM.
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I LOVE A MAN AND HE LOVES ME.
THIS NOT AN ACT. AS A MATTER OF FACT.
FATHERS TO SONS. MAN’S FIRST LOVE.
Photo: Zak Seen By El
El Lewis is the Co-Founder/Owner of O. Studio Design and an African-American creative director and fashion editor. His work is vastly informed by minimalism, mythology, color theory while highlighting Black people. El has worked for the likes of Alexander Wang to Ryan Leslie. He has created a distinctive social media presence through his style and taste, which makes him a sought after creative.