Poem: To Read

I told a friend that my greatest wish
was to someday learn how to read.
The Almighty planted the dream of normality,
my faith watered his seed
Lack of education tried to choke today’s triumph
like a garden attacked by weeds
But today, I have the victory so I know
that there is no task I can’t succeed.
Though I had to clean fasces from walls
and scrub floors where only roaches dare to breed.
In innocence and ignorance I married a man
who made me a victim of his creed.
For my sake, and my children’s sake,
“Him,” being out of my life is what I need
He shackled a trusting teenager with negativity
and fear before I was freed.
No more blue bruises or deep cuts
to watch in the mirror, I no longer bleed.
Shame’s shadow tried to prevent me
from trusting others
to teach and guide me beyond the constant desire
to concede.
I learnt that you are never too old to learn
and that there is no expectation I can’t exceed.
With prayer and wisdom I can show my grand kids
a better way, with God’s help I can lead.
I walk by faith where angels encourage me
to precede steadfast through doubts stampede.
All because I fulfilled my greatest wish,
which was to someday learn how to read.
So I hope that someone who is illiterate
hears my testimony from your lips
and studies how not to recede.
Bridles the wild steed of fear
and someday lives the dream of normality
because it’s never too late to learn how to read.

By Sean R. E. Munnings
The Raga-Lover
Inspired by PJ