Brotherhood: An exploration of friendship, masculinity, Blackness and more.

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSE CRANKSON

I look into my mirror 
Smiling, deep into reflection 
I feel a warmth wrapped around me
A blanket, comforting. 

Comforting, the familiarity of it 
In which I find shelter…
A home. 

Within the mirror I see myself,
But not me - 
Pieces, of shared stories and distant homes
Converging paths within ones walked alone.

I hear arguments and reconciliations that I never took part in
I see a skin fade, though my braids have parts in
I taste okra and stew, but grew up on saltfish and plantain.

The deeper I look, the more the differences make sense
My mind fills with daps and hugs, tears and laughter
With a mother’s journey west
The trials of Black skin - 
Pride, doubt, love, questioning from within.

I see an only child
Hiding a boyfriend from his father
And the youngest of six hiding girls from the gaze of his sisters.
I see nights at rainbow clad clubs, sweaty-walled raves, 
Days kicking ball, all muddled in a haze.

The deeper I go
Sinking into the comfort of reflection,
I see myself, and I see you - 
My brother.

Two lives
Distance, different 
Unique, yet shared all the same
A love blood deep,
Though none is shared beneath our skin.

Unafraid of who you are
Nor what I am
Or what, to society separates us
I see you - 
My brother.

Words Sam Cole.


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