By Abubakar D. Sani, Esq.

Does art really imitate life?;
Or is it the other way round?;
Either way, does it justify a meltdown?;
Least of all, when you are on a high?

What can possibly justify violence -
Except in the extreme case of self-defense?;
When your safety or that of family is at stake;
Even then, should the reaction not always be proportionate?

Why do our heroes keep letting us down?;
Is this not a reminder of our mortality?;
Why are such reminders always ephemeral - until the next one?;
Of what use are values if only observed in the breach?

In a season of public “civil” violence -
The identities of those directly involved hardly matter;
But they do, don’t they, given recent high-profile incidents;
One local, the other foreign - both of which went viral

The local one - female-on-female - was just dying down -
When the other - from far away Hollywood - took off;
The latter had far more traction;
It was, to use a popular phrase, heard around the world

Hardly surprising, given the stage and the actors;
Both were black, so - mercifully - race was not a factor;
Beyond that, they had little else in common;
One a “Prince” about to be crowned; the other? Not so much

The supposed motive - chivalry - cut little ice;
Not least because the assailant has since recanted;
While the victim was applauded for his reticence;
Hollywood - normally tight and controlled - lost it this time

Wherever the chips might fall, when the dust settles -
The scales have fallen off our collective eyes;
For all their glitz and glamour, actors are human, too;
They are flesh and blood and can step out of line

A momentary lapse of judgement seemingly to impress his wife -
Went badly wrong and has cost (and will cost) Will dearly;
An intended act of valor has proved to be ill-advised;
The price? The most valued of all: his credibility

Has our hero been reduced to “zero”?;
Has our newly-crowned King been disrobed?
Doesn’t he now wish he’d remained "the Fresh Prince of Bel Air"?;
Whatever he wishes, what we need now is some fresh air!

You’ve had your run, Will - your day in the sun;
Give us (and yourself) a break;
Look inward - take another look at Jade with an “a";
Is she worth the trouble - is she worth the fuss?

Damn it, man! She made you look like a fool before the whole world;
She hauled you before her “Red Table” and confessed to infidelity;
With her son’s friend - of all people - on prime time TV!;
Believe me, that should have been the last straw

But, hey, don’t take my word for it;
Who am I to counsel a Hollywood superstar?;
An action hero, an alien-destroyer, the Man in Black!;
It’s up to you and you alone - you can bounce back, Will

And, you should - all things being equal;
But, are they? The odds are stacked against you;
Your race is the obvious - but not the only - one;
What are the odds of your being cast anytime soon?

That is anyone’s guess - if they care;
Believe me, your blow-out makes Alec Baldwin’s look tame;
Remember him? He famously killed a producer on set;
With a loaded gun, yes, but it was a mistake

But, you? Yours was premeditated;
You took those steps deliberately;
You assaulted the entire Academy - not just Chris;
So, your case is far worse - in fact, it’s unprecedented

Is this the end of your acting career?
Who knows? Only time tell, Will;
As you say in Hollywood: "it’s not over till it’s over";
Once again, don’t take my word for it - ask Denzel

You famously recalled his advice to you after your meltdown;
He is a well of wisdom, Will, tap from it;
You will prosper from it - as his goodwill;
Above all, going forward, control yourself and, avoid further blowouts!

Abubakar D. Sani, Esq.
3rd April, 2022