Reflections ... Reciprocal Me

I
Prepared or not
1994 brought to me my first joy
bouncing healthy baby boy
complete and perfect
life just beginning for he and I
reverse my old irresponsible ways
his life in my hands
his future will be mine
and only in time
will my insight and guidance
be fruitful in his eyes
now in his defiance
I have to revitalize
his thought pattern
so that his future is not
filled with statistical misconception
that young black males
only lead lives of misfortune
his milestones are simply
cornerstones
with each pebble or hill he encounters
will be lying in the depths
of his subconscious
momma told me to watch out for this
or momma said this is an opportunity
and he will take it
for the teachings I share with him
will help him through this journey
and then he becomes
the reciprocal of me

II
Along the way
fate brought love into my life
that love created another boy
but his start was not so fortunate
doctors and hospitals
filled his first three years
over his bed I did weep
neglecting sleep
for I was his protector
his breath I did breathe
so that the sickness would leave
I prayed and asked the Creator
for His intervention
the spirit within him
that of a fighting lion
now he's rough and tumble
as if a magician's hand passed over
and his life he did recover
now as I look back
at this reflection of the past
he was saved by grace
and as I look in his beautiful brown eyes
the mirror of my being can not be disguised
the amount of joy I have that he will survive

III
Last but not least
the final surprise
a precious hazel eyed princess
her coming into existence
was a break to the nonsense
that was filling my life at the time
like her brothers that came before
I was in a constant state of flux
and her introduction was a necessary must
the essence and light that she brought
allowed me to say no more
to the negative forces that were surrounding us
as if her power, purity and innocence
was the shield that the ancestors sent
she is coming to be the nurturer
showing early maturity
in her thoughts and ways
my goal is to provide the right direction
for the world has not been so kind
to little girls that grow into women
treating her with disrespect and disdain
as the righteous woman that I strive to be
in the path of queendom, I will train
her to see through the lies and insecurities
of those that wish to take her innocence and flee
leaving her turned inside and out
not giving into to short skirts and baby tees
wrapped in 3/4 cloth she will be
demanding the respect that she deserves
and providing her the knowledge
not to believe in the folly
she will be a warrior, strong lioness
just like her mommy

On this Father's Day 2006
I give thanks for the seeds
I have sown
I am the mother and father
that they know
in this reflection
my love shows
in these 3
reciprocals of me.
© sharbi3 2006