The Reason Hate Hurts: 'Because it Was You, my Brother'


For inquiring minds:
The reason we, yes, even those who seem celebrated,
are wounded by “Haters”:

Because “Haters” are betrayers
Camouflaged as your “brothers”
Judases
Modern-day Traitors
Smile-in-your-face fakers
The Sons of the envious brothers of David the shepherd boy
Still bitter that God made you his pride and joy

Haters are those who speak well of you in your presence
Bask in your essence when it benefits them
And yet despise your gift and blessing because it isn't them
They betray with hugs and brotherly shakes
Wear the mask
Play charades
Fill their trap with murderous bait
Of unsought praise
Seeking to get close enough to secrets to betray
For the soft sweet spot to lay their dagger in your back
Backstabbers
Blabbers
Green-eyed entrappers

Et tu, Bruteh?
They plot your demise
Stand idly by
When others assassinate your name
Inside rejoice
When you are defamed
Call you “Bruh” and “Cuz”
While taking aim
Masquerading their hate
Playing the game
Selling you out
Without any shame
All the while singing your praise
Never revealing their murderous gaze
Until that moment when their deed is done
Their plot complete
And your demise is won.

Then they say:
“I never liked that nigger anyway.”
“Y’all thought he was all that.
“Now, let’s see him get up off his back.”

Then they sing their hater’s song
Revealing who they really were all along
Not the “brother” with whom you shared your cup
Not a brother whom you could ever trust
Basking in your inglorious sunset
Leaving you filled with deep hurt and regret

Et tu, Bruteh?
What kind of brother would sell his own into slavery?
Or for 30 pieces of silver, let murderers lead the Lord away? 
Or drug Fred Hampton for the police to slay?
Or with his brother’s wife seek to lie?
Or in a field slay his brother with envy in his eyes?

12For it was not an enemy who insulted me,
 then I could have endured it.
Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me,
then I would have hidden myself from him.
13 But it was you, a man like me,
 my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 We took sweet fellowship together. (Psalm 55:12)

… Because “Haters” are betrayers
Camouflaged as your “brothers”
Judases
Traitors
Smile-in-your-face fakers
The Sons of the envious brothers of David the shepherd boy
Still bitter that God made you his pride and joy
But I will trust in You
I will trust in You

“…Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days,
 but I will trust in you.” Psalm 55:23

—John W. Fountain