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 backBackstabbersBlabbersGreen-eyed entrappers
Et tu, Bruteh?They plot your demiseStand idly byWhen others assassinate your nameInside rejoiceWhen you are defamedCall you “Bruh” and “Cuz”While taking aimMasquerading their hatePlaying the gameSelling you outWithout any shameAll the while singing your praiseNever revealing their murderous gazeUntil that moment when their deed is doneTheir plot completeAnd 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 songRevealing who they really were all along
Not the “brother” with whom you shared your cupNot a brother whom you could ever trustBasking in your inglorious sunsetLeaving 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 betrayersCamouflaged as your “brothers”JudasesTraitorsSmile-in-your-face fakersThe Sons of the envious brothers of David the shepherd boyStill bitter that God made you his pride and joyBut I will trust in YouI 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