Respect Is Earned Poem by Qiniso Mogale

Respect is worked for
Respect is laboured for
Hard work is required
Dedication is a prerequisite
Respect can never be demanded
Respect is earned.

Many world leaders are demanding respect
Many church leaders are demanding respect
Many cabinet ministers are demanding respect
Many men who are supposed to be fathers are demanding respect
Many women with wayward behaviours are demanding respect
All these people don't respect themselves
Let alone those next to them
They have not earned the respect they demand.

Leaders carry themselves dishonourably
Their general conduct is shameful
Their scandals a sorry sight to behold
They have no honour
They have no integrity
They have not earned respect.

Many men are shunning their responsibilities
Many children have grown up without fathers
Many men have neglected their children
Yet they expect these children to honour and respect them
Respect is earned not demanded.