What It Takes To Be A Man~ Poem by LULU MERO

It wasn't easy
Being what I am
Me.., the man you can see
This type of a man...
Not talking of trouser wear

Brought up by a woman
A single mother with a Tumor
I...the son, and a father figure
Everyday with my mom trying to protect her..
It wasn't easy! !
Being what I am...

I remember the dawn to sunset
She in the kitchen baking some bread
Don't even think It is for our breakfast..
She baked and I went sale in the streets...
Selling all the food for our living
It wasn't easy..
Being what I am

Other mornings I met other boys
Dressed up school they were going
Me, with my pan trying to sell bread
Our daily bread, which am holding on my head.
Sometimes I wish I was in bed, or at least I was fed
It wasn't easy..Growing up as a boy

When got back home...
Finding mom making some ice-cream
With that blazing sun on our forehead
You will wish that was at-least for lunch..
Had to carry the bucket and go back selling in the street...
This time other boys coming back from school, they laughed at me
Laughed at me with my uniform...
Wearing my uniform while not attending school, but selling ice-cream to them.
With no other choose but selling it to them
It wasn't easy I tell you...
Growing up to be what I am...

Evenings, the only best time of our days..
The only time for our meal..
Collecting all we made for the day
Sitting down on a torn mat...
Eating, chatting and smiling with the stars
Mama wearing her kanga phrased, 'Dunia ni mapito'
Both acting so happy...
Eating and bonding as one huge family...
With her smile back and forth to the Moon
It wasn't easy...
Well, Maybe this was...
The only easiest time of the day.

To be continued~

Original
By Prof.Dr. Lulu Mero
© 07/07/2012