You Are Not A Man Poem by Lehlohonolo Selai

If Her Tears Wear Your Face
And Bruises Decorate Her Face
Or Her Loud Screams Spell Your Ugly Name
You Are Not A Man

If In Your Name She Tates Sorrow
Not The Safety You Vowed To Uphold
Nor The Love You Once Appeared To Hold
You Are Not A Man

If Little Feet Pile Up By The Roadside
Wrapped In Lost Dreams Of Your One Nightstand
If Her Womb Is Cursed By Your Denial My Friend
Then You Are Not A Man At All

If She Ages Quickly From Stress
Cursed By Your Frequent Absence
Cursed To See Your Offspring Through Fatherlessness
You Are Not A Man

If Wars Break To Stain Nations
Or Civilization Grows To Forget Peace
All Because Of Your Ungratefulness
You Are Not A Man