Judgement

When you say I am educated, remember I searched for it,

I accepted to be a fool,

And the dream became full,

It has taken me time,

And the struggle continues.

When you say I am rich, remember I was ones penniless,

Struggling to get a shilling that I could call mine,

It never came that easy.

When you say I am full, remember there was a time I slept hungry,

My stomach roared,

Downing a cup of strong tea made the night for me.

When you say I am smart, remember I was ones in tatters,

All my clothes full of patches,

Talk of school uniform,

My Sunday best,

And my beloved soccer shorts.

When you say I am riding, remember I ones walked shoeless,

Walking all the miles to school,

And sometimes all the way to the grandma’s place.

When you say I am proud, think of where I have come from,

Only then will you realize the reason for that ‘pride.’

So, please don’t judge me by the present,

But rather where I have come from,

I gave up on many things,

Some good, some bad,

Some sweet, some sour,

Some painful, some pleasurable,

…all those!

That is what it took to be me,

And I am sure it is not too late for you to do it.