Excerpts from Etan Thomas' poetry

The excerpts don't do his work justice but give you an idea of Thomas' talent and his views on political and social issues.

ToysRUsKid

I'd rather play video games and red light green light and peek a boo

I like to sing happy songs and skip rocks in ponds

But in the world of grown ups

Unsafe sex causes viruses to be passed liked batons

Child molesters caught on tape can avoid convictions

And continue making platinum selling records

alone

She completed his soul

And she believed him

Hung on his every word

Until the test came back positive

She never knew he could run so fast

The biggest mistake of her life

was falling in love with a coward

Voting

How could you not cast your vote?

You've assigned yourself to a muzzled opinion

Your muted passions go unaccounted for

You keep your voice concealed like a weapon

Your true strength remains in its holster

See talk is cheap

You should be embarrassed

Casting a vote is a gift you should cherish

The trap

So many young brothas see no other way