c.2003 M.Bennett Hooper


When I look down when I see you coming is not a signal of submissiveness.
I look down and away because instantaneously
I am communing with my inner me.
For if our eyes are truly windows of the soul then I question your
Worthiness to look into my warrior eyes.

Eyes which have learned to soften themselves when looking
Upon a child who holds our promise for the future.
The same eyes which fill with the fire of warfare against those
Who would harm our children.

Eyes which see the strength in my Black brothers and sisters who truly practice family building and nurturing of their young.
Eyes which when filled with love can see your pains, as well as, your joys
When you choose to reveal your soul.

Eye contact is not limited to the sighted among us
For many who are legally and physically sighted are intellectually, spiritually, and psychologically blind.
Eye contact for them is a misnomer
for they are too cowardly to see what is
Patently self evident.

All men are not created equal.
Do you not see that being a man is more than the size,
function and location of your genitals?
What does having balls have to do with anything of importance
beyond procreation?
Or are you afraid of the eye contact which will reveal your true self worth?

Black men are not without worth unless they choose to be.
And too many choose worthless as a life pattern when they readily kill each other over other folks drugs and money and words which in another time would be ignored when uttered by the stupid.
All because they lack eye contact which would reveal the worthiness of their human souls.

So look into the eyes of another, find, and identify common heritage,
confirm our life worth.
Beauty is as beauty is.
And seeing without action when needed is cowardice.
For all who cannot look at themselves truthfully are blind.
Vision is more than physical accomplishment.
Eye contact mirrors the soul.