“Battle Tested” poem by Eric King

This poem was written in solidarity with the Baltimore rebels

They couldn’t take the heat

egos as fragile as their power structure

bones break, convictions never

they think the lions been put down

more thorn in the paw

they strike what they fear

murderers and brutes, for our safety

our skulls are crunched

you are not the victim

you are a revolutionary

battle tested joining good company

confused pig bastards

forgot that you’re the shark

and the blood is in the water

their violence validates further

the struggle that forces the beast

to view its true self

reflections of hatred and spite

battle tested, keep holding that mirror