Blackface

After years of searching

I learned that most people are pretending

Pretending to be healthy

Pretending to be reasonable

When a nine year old boy slaps another kid in the face

I’m supposed to believe that’s not normal

When a carpenter drives a six inch screw through a wall

I’m supposed to believe all rebukes must be gentle 

When every adult must suddenly refrain from four letter words around kids

I’m supposed to believe that Christian taboos foster holiness

When Jesus spits in a blind man’s eyes and we’re told that’s because his mouth was full of bread

I’m supposed to not call that ridiculous, cartoonish exegesis

I’m supposed to pretend everything’s normal and reasonable

I’m supposed to bow down to everyone’s idols

It’s when others react harshly over harshness

Then I stop pretending to be right