Editor’s Note

Curtis Philpot is a rapper, poet, and artist. His poetry draws from a unique combination of self-education, Greek mythology, biblical imagery, and his experiences. Check out his album The Seventh Protagonist, read his poetry, and browse his interview below.

A piece of wisdom that I really appreciated from his interview is “I think feeling empty comes from not doing anything to progress one’s life.”

The Poetry

How much would it cost to betray me?

Give you thirty silver, You don’t have to repay me

Can you deliver upstream, Going against Styx River?

If you walk on the water, you’ll get a bit quicker

Call it good karma that I’m saving for my next life

Sharpened death’s tool so it’s on to the next syth

Pardon me

Too many evil spirits that be on to me

Their hate feels like camaraderie

I’m tryna get you a cought between me and their lobotomy

I got a lot to see

The chosen from the prophecy

Enigma not hypocrisy

I heard your thoughts

And heard your prayers

Another missed shot

I know unfair

Poets only write what they hear

Your thoughts spilling over is gospel to my ears

I’ve been dodging death, tax collectors, and subliminals

Ive regained consciousness and enlightenment in intervals

Summer feeling like a priest with sinners in peripheral

The Shadows really to pop out when they tryna snatch your Minerals

I can promise promise lands

If you can get the road paved

Hourglasses, time by the sand

Count down to those days

My father taught me to use protection

Don’t have a son with too much aggression

End the bloodline to teach lesson

You could never show too much affection

Call the squad before he calls me home

We about to get into an insurrection

The writings on the wall

Telling me somethings wrong

Gone for way too long

Remembering all that’s happened

Taking it to the grave

Foolishness over brave?

You got something to say?

Tell me what’s all that’s happened

Interview

Read on to learn more about Curtis’s reflections about who he is.

So, you’re Curtis Philpot. You’re an artist, poet, and rapper. When you tell your story, how much do you attribute to things that have happened to you versus who you consciously decided to become?

Who I consciously decide to become attracts the kinds of things that happen to me. At some point, a person has to recognize where they put their time and energy and the consequences of their actions still reflect on who they are as a person.

What are you most proud of about your character?

How kind I am. I don’t think being kind is easy. I think we live in a world that rewards the direct opposite of being kind. Still, I choose to see the goodness in the people around me. ‘

How do you overcome trauma?

Overcoming trauma is a hard thing to do. The answer can also be elusive and chasing it could take years. I went to a mental health counselor before and that really changed my life for the better. Having somebody, especially a professional, reassure and guide you is great! And I think more people should try mental health counseling or therapy.

Can you think of a moment your life felt empty?

I feel empty all the time, but I think there’s a misconception about feeling empty. I don’t think all of our time is supposed to be spent feeling something. That sounds exhausting. Being bored is okay. Being sad is okay. We should be spending more time confronting these feelings instead of running away from them.

Can you think of a moment your life felt full?

Yes, but in retrospect there was always a caveat. My early twenties were wild. I was happy where I was in life. I was also really destructive. The decisions I made weren’t optimal. I’m still dealing with the consequences of my actions from back then. So, after learning from my mistakes, I’m now trying to build my life back up.

What is the essential difference?

I think feeling empty comes from not doing anything to progress one’s life. And feeling full comes from reaping the benefits of all the work put in to get to that point.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Have patience. Just because something isn’t working out right now then and there doesn’t mean it’ll never come into fruition.

The Seventh Protagonist by Curtis Philpot