05/18/2023
If you can keep your camera steady, calm, but true,
When all around you, chaos ensues,
And hold your lens on those who abuse,
Yet maintain your composure and report the news;
If you can remain calm around blue disdain,
When badges and batons try to thwart your aim,
You keep on fighting for justice's name,
While others choose silence or play lame games;
If you can use your phone to document what's real,
Expose the truth that they try to conceal,
Capturing these moments, with video or stills ,
And use your lens as a mirror, stills for real;
If you can withstand their threats and suck up the hate,
That comes from those who try to dictate,
If you persevere, comrades, never capitulate,
You ensure freedom never dissipates
If you can use your photos to ignite the fight
True images in the minds that have lost their sight,
And shine a light on dark shadows in the night,
To restore what's wrong, though it wasn't your plight
If you can be fearless and never truly stand down,
In the face of oppression, you wear no frown,
With every keystroke, you expose 'em like clowns
Showing the world the circus that's going down;
Then yours is the camera, the power you wield
The act of truth-telling, you'll never conceal
And what's more, you'll be honored for all the power you steal,
As the voice of the voiceless, for capturing what's real.
Make sure to look out for each other out there.
~BK