The Fair Father Poem by Kwame Sarfo Aboagye

Farmer
Father, Father, please listen to my cries;
Mind not that I offer no sacrifice.
Water from above my seedlings need to grow;
Cause the skies to cry today and tomorrow.

God
Very well, but there’s another son
Who needs me also, yet I’m only one.
I’ll listen to him too, and when I’m done,
I’ll get back to you to hear your pun.

Builder
Father, Father, please listen to my calls;
Strong and skilled, walls I build;
I pray that today and tomorrow, no rain falls,
So I can quickly complete all my chores.

God
No one needs me more; no one needs me less;
But it’s impossible to say to you both ‘yes’;
For one’s disappointment will be another’s happiness,
And one’s pleasure will be another’s distress.
So tell me you both, how would you resolve this mess?

Farmer
Father, I need to be considered indeed;
I have debts to settle and mouths to feed.

Builder
Father, be not persuaded by him I plead;
If it does rain my bricks will not be laid,
And for all the hard work I will not be paid.

God
Alright, I’ve listened to you and your brother.
You both know that your bother is my bother,
But I can’t satisfy one and ignore the other;
Neither can I ignore you both like a heartless mother,
So with much precision I’ll make a final decision
To prevent the repetition of such a long inquisition:
For you the rain will pour; for you the sun will burn;
But it can only happen in turns.
So while one enjoys, the other shall wait,
And shall have no cause to complain;
For it is impossible to satisfy every man at once.
Just wait patiently until your time comes.