‘Every Childs First Sin’ (2021)

40” x 40”

Acrylic and oil on canvas

EVERY CHILD’S FIRST SIN (2021)

written by Shaquille-Aaron Keith

What does it mean to be innocent?
What does it mean to be a child?
One is mandatory
The other is a choice,
Both are states of mind.
I reminisce on days of
Looking after Gods creatures,
I cared for them as if they were my own,
Sworn to protect, sworn to feed and nurture
And on my life, to never leave alone.
Accidental murder is what happened next,
Over feeding of my love,
To my loves
I believe is what made God vexed.
But it wasn’t on purpose,
Am I now a sinner at 6 years old?
Have I broketh the commandant
The bible once foretold;
‘Thou shall not murder’.
Troubling,
I am only a child but I feel as though I
Should be on death row,
The taking of an innocent life deserves punishment,
The law of the land says so,
Uttered by the words of my olders who’ve come before me,
And I dare not argue back,
Every child must bare their first sin,
The breaking of life’s contract