Explorers Issue August 2017 | Page 28

MADEMUSIC MADEXXXX

This poem started the writing process for my Common Sense . I thought it

I AM should be a given that we should each be seen as a new person instead of a replica of who other people have encountered . We ’ re taught not to judge a book by its cover , but it ’ s also important to remember

NOT A that just because the book covers of two people may match , it doesn ’ t mean the story between the pages are the same . Let people be them . They don ’ t belong in their box or yours .

BOX

I Am Not A Box is one of five poems featured in the original poetry short film , titled Common Sense , which is written , directed , edited and styled by Derrick
MADE BY DERRICK CHRISTIAN
Christian . See the full-length film here : http :// bit . ly / 2uM7mw0
I am not the box you place me in in your mind I ' m not the box that I check under the race section when it ' s time To organize and categorize the information that you ' ve got Compare similarities , but for clarity I am not a box
The color of my skin May match what you pack your moving items in But moving past my pigment you ' re taking in I am still not a box
Your preconceived notions offend instead of flatter You should be striving for the latter Your pattern of
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painting poor pictures has to stop
See , because the truth of the matter Is your perceptions can shatter When you understand that big seas are made up of tiny , little drops The waves may impact each other , but no ripple is like one another Hop aboard my journey to understanding before we land see you ' ll be shocked That oceans of people can exist , but when your staring from the dock Everything ' s the same shade of blue , if you only knew your view could be swapped Because It ' s surprising what you ' ll think , when you think outside of the box
Let me draw a map for you Follow the dotted line Down your memory lane of pain or whatever emotions you have aligned With the person who looked like me Or talked like me , but tell me did you find ? That person was not me It ' s nice to meet you Leave them behind Follow me through my story And understand that when you press rewind