Back bent carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders,

Shirt soaked as open wounds ooze oppression,

Fingers callused by the prickly thorns of profits,

The man shutters at the sound the horsemen’s whip.

——

As the sun rays beam down upon the man’s bald head,

The salty sweat grazes his upper lip,

Darkness moves over top of the man as his fingers move double time,

The last thing he hears was the crack of a whip.

This poem illustrates my greatest fear. The fear that America is working backwards. The fear that the country will again look upon as they did the subject of this ekphrastic poem: a slave. The fear of not being worthy, the fear of being judged, misused, and abused, are fears that constantly play a role in my everyday life. It is why I strive to live each day to the fullest, and condemn the hate and injustices that are placed unto others regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. I hope you consider this poem for your “Fight The Fear” Scholarship Slam. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my greatest fear.