i am a man because my mother says so!-Ojijo

 

 (Extracted from Fireplace Stories: Ojijo’s Performance Poems)

do not look at me,

do not analyse me,

do not measure me,

do not compare me,

as if i am not a man,

because i am a man,

i am a man because my mother says so!

i am not a man because i show you respect,

talking to you while standing up,

shaking your hand with my two hands,

saying ‘yes please’ and ‘yes thank you’

i am a man because my mother says so!

i am not a man because i have two cars,

two homes,

two wives,

and two children,

i am a man because my mother says so!

i am not a man because i am mature,

adult,

experienced,

and old,

i am a man because my mother say so,

do not measure my manhood with stripes and stars,

do not measure my manhood with drivers and secretaries,

do not measure my manhood with guards and guns,

do not measure my manhood with degrees and doctorates,
i am a man because my mother says so!


i am not a man because you bow and kneel for me,

i am not a man because you salute and parade for me,

i am not a man because you clap and applaud me,

i am a man because my mother say so,

i am a man whether you like me, or spite me,

i am a man whether you hate me, or love me,

i am a man whether you curse me or bless me,

i am a man whether you hire me, or fire me,

i am a man whether you marry me, or reject me,

i am a man because my mother say so!

i am a man because of my mother,

i am a man for my mother,

i am a man in my mother’s eyes,

i am a man because my mother says so.

i am a man because i take care of my mother,

i am a man because i protect my mother,

i am a man,

i am a man,

i am a man because my mother say so!

Ojijo-lawyer, author, poet, pianist, entrepreneur. ojijo@gobighub.com. +256776100059

Letter to My Daughter’s Teacher-By Ojijo

 

 

(Extracted from Fireplace Stories: Ojijo’s Performance Poems)

 

She will have to learn, I know,

that all men are not just,

all men are not true.

But teach her also,

that for every scoundrel there is a hero;

that for every selfish Politician,

there is a dedicated leader,

that for every enemy,

there is a friend,

 

Steer her away from envy,

if you can,

and teach her the secret of quiet laughter.

 

Let her learn early,

that the bullies are the easiest to lick…

Teach her, if you can,

the wonder of books,

But also give her quiet time

to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,

bees in the sun,

and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach her

it is far honourable to fail than to cheat…

Teach her to have faith in her own ideas,

even if everyone tells her they are wrong…

Teach her to be gentle with gentle people,

and tough with the tough.

 
Try to give my daughter

the strength not to follow the crowd

when everyone is getting on the band wagon…

Teach her to listen to all men…

but teach her also to filter

all she hears on a screen of truth,

and take only the good that comes through.

Teach her if you can,

how to laugh when she is sad…

Teach her there is no shame in tears,

Teach her to scoff at cynics

and to beware of too much sweetness…

Teach her to sell her brawn

and brain to the highest bidders

but never to put a price-tag

on her heart and soul.

 

Teach her to close her ears

to a howling mob

and to stand and fight

if she thinks she’s right.

Treat her gently,

but do not cuddle her,

because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let her have the courage

to be impatient…

let her have the patience to be brave.

Teach her always

to have sublime faith in herself,

because then she will have

sublime faith in mankind.

 

There is a big order,

but see what you can do…

She is such a fine little fellow,

my daughter!

 ~ A Loving Parent!