MANHOOD

 

By remembering,
I must be a man…
To my parents,
To my relatives,
To my friends…
From out to within!

By believing,
I shall be a man
Put all the tasks
On my own back
I shall not complain
Put all the mouth
On my arms around!

Never forget, mate,
To send your tears
When the fog appears
Under your ground
On your garden naked..
And make a fruit blows
To all community folks!
(And take some pounds)

Never, never lower head,
Even if you are your own…
And never, bow down
Now you are up ahead,
More than a son, a father:
And I shall be a man
To my kids and wife…
And I must be a man
For my father and mother:
A human being beyond my life!

(Leandro Monteiro)