I Write. You Write. Book of Poetry which encompass poems that delight, highlights and bring insights to everyday issues of life. Written by Poet Charmaine Allwood-Hanson. Here’s a piece dedicated to black fathers.
BLACK FATHERS
SUPPORT YOUR WIVES AND BABY MOTHERS
THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING ON YOU FOR A WHILE
THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT AT ALL TIMES
DESIST FROM YOUR SELF EXILE
BE A PARENT, FOSTER YOUR CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT
BE A POSITIVE VOICE, GIVE THEM UPLIFTMENT
SO MANY OF OUR YOUTHS, BOYS SPECIFICALLY BUT GIRLS TOO
NO MALE ROLE MODELS THEY CAN PURSUE
THEY HAVE NO ONE TO LOOK TO
THEY NEED YOUR ASSURANCE; THEY NEED TO FEEL VALUED
YOUR ABSENTEEISM IS DISTURBING THE MISSION
CAUSING OUR MALES TO BE PLACED IN JAILS AND PRISONS
BRING ABOUT A NEW VISION, IMPROVE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS
WE NEED TO RAISE DISTINGUISHED MEN
GIVE THEM A FUTURE, AND NOT A DEAD-END
GUIDE THEM, ON WAYS TO BE A MAN
TEACH THEM TO RESPECT WOMEN
OUR BLACK BOYS AND GIRLS NEED LOVE
AND HUGS
NOT GANGS, GUN, OR DRUGS, NOT TO BE LABELED AS THUGS
EDUCATE THEM ON LIFE LESSONS, IN THEIR LIVES BE A BLESSING
ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY IN SCHOOL, TO BE LEADERS AND NOT FOOLS
BLACK FATHERS, IT’S TIME TO STEP UP AND
FILL THE VOID
SHOW UP, BE PRESENT, DON’T JUST BE A
SPERM DONOR, DON’T HIDE
BE A MAN, BE A FATHER, LIVE UPRIGHT
BUILD BLACK FAMILIES, BUILD BLACK CHILDREN LIVES
Written by Charmaine Allwood-Hanson
I Speak. You Read. 