Burden

Like a father,
he beats his children,
he calls them names
and tells them he loves them.
Like a father,
he lets his brothers touch them,
he lets his brothers rape them.
Like a father,
he yells when he doesn't understand,
he steals their words and secrets.
Like a father,
he crafts them in his own image,
he tears them down and only lets them grow
in ways he deems appropriate.
Like a father,
he teaches them to love him,
and they learn to hate him.
Like a father,
he hurts them and whispers,
"This is for your own good."

Today we have poems about colonialism. And possibly childhood. But also, and mostly, colonialism. YAY!