Baba Na Poem by Biyaya YOHANNA

The first man I ever saw and loved.

The man who traded long hours at work
for the comfort of his family.

The man who rarely spoke
about his own needs,

yet somehow made sure there was always food on the table,
clothes on our backs,
and a roof above our heads.

Through hardship,
you carried us
until comfort felt ordinary.

Baba na...

As I grew,
I watched you grow older.

I saw the quiet ache behind your eyes on the days
you couldn't meet all our needs.
Especially the school excursion I wanted so badly to attend.

Back then,
I only saw what I couldn't have.

Now,
I see what it cost you.

You protected us
from a world that could be cruel,
not with wealth,
but with faith.

You taught me that prayer was never a last resort,
it was the first key.

You made sure I received the best education you could give,
so that one day,
I would stand confidently among my equals.

Baba na...

I watched
the way you loved our mother.

A quiet love.

A faithful love.

A love that chose her, every single day.

You were a husband, friend, and companion.
You honoured her both in her presence and in her absence.
You never allowed her dignity to be questioned.

Baba na...

You are my hero.

My role model.

The man whose footsteps
I have spent my life trying to understand.

Only now do I realize, that the strongest men
are not always the loudest.

Sometimes,
they are the ones who quietly carry an entire family on their shoulders, without ever asking to be seen.

Baba na...

You have always been,
and you will always be,
my HERO.