Papa And I Poem by RIC BASTASA

Papa always brings his bolo
wherever he goes out from the house
during those turbulent times of our lives

'these are what fathers are for
these outlaws must know
that we also know how to protect ourselves! '
he always tells me that
when i was young
and innocent and didn't know what wars were
why other men were cruel to their own gender

when my turn came
i begin to bring my gun
my wits
and my distrust

'this is the reason why i was born' i tell myself that.