Man

(The previous post, 'Birth and Death', gives context to this poem)

Dem say dat I reach here first
And dat she did come out of me
Really?
So society say dat she
mus answer to me
Really?
Dat I doh even have to really love she
Jus give she shelter and a lil money
Leh she buy some clothes fuh d baby
And when i reach home mih food better be ready
Really?

Dat cah be all dat make a man
really...
What about being soft with strength?
Helping her stand when she doh have the legs?
How 'bout lowering yuh ego
When she doh really need yuh help to go
toward realizin' her dreams?
Dat soun' more like what being a man means

Doh treat she sour, your job is to empower
And when the challenges make it harder to stand
extend a hand.
Is not a contest, a burden or a job
And if allyuh vex, yuh cah hit and shove
Man, if yuh want to be loved, then love.