FOR A SLICE OF BREAD - Poem

FOR A SLICE OF BREAD

What do I want than a slice of bread?

Will food or water accomplish my quest?

Nothing I want more than a slice of bread,

Either have this or better be dead.

"Wake up! It's morning, you had a good sleep",

I hear the voice call me out from my deep;

Prayers, then toothpaste that smells so good,

My teeth must be white because of the food.

The bathtub is great, me splashing in the soap,

Remember there's school - I'll go pack my notes;

Breakfast is done and we're rushing to be fed,

My biggest concern be that first slice of bread.

Landing at the table, my hunger is vexed,

Sister took it first, that first slice of bread;

I snatch it from her, not wasting any time,

"That's mine for breakfast, brother", she cries.

"I don't care" I say, "today it's my own!"

Sissy is mad with her fists firm like stone;

"You had it yesterday, now it's my turn,

Give it back to me, it's not your concern."

Oops! I've bitten it, we both start to fight,

Mummy comes in, surprised at the sight;

"Brother took my bread" says baby in tears,

I'm laughing inside, but Mum sees my sneers.

"What is all this - you're fighting" she says,

"Is this because of one piece of bread?"

She takes my piece, and I burst in anger;

"No breakfast for you till we talk this later."

So I'm back in my room with a lot of grumbling,

And I slam the door shut with a heavy banging;

This is not fair, I think to myself,

Mum won't listen to me, no matter what I tell.

When Mum comes knocking, I refuse to answer;

Still she comes in and looks at me, and I must face her.

"Son, your sister had that slice of bread first,

There's always another time, so you don't have to outburst."

"Mummy, that first slice should always be mine;

It's either I have it or else I would die."

Mummy looks at me and bursts into laughter,

And I'm feeling dismayed for what she'd say after.

"My boy, your life does not count on that slice,

Don't have it today, you surely won't die;

It is not like you need it, you are in good health,

Though you do this because you think of yourself.

"My goodness, my son, must I tell you again?

Must I always repeat what I've ever said?

Think of yourself, and your life is sadder;

But think of others, and your days get better.

What everyone does fulfills themselves,

We want to live only to enjoy ourselves;

We bribe and steal to get what we love,

And kill to make our desires succumb.

Imagine the people who had lived for others,

They suffered and cried, but did their own pain matter?

Einstein and Parks, Kennedy and King,

Mandela and Lincoln, and what of Ghandi?

Thatcher, Roosevelt, Angelou too;

Garvey, Pablo, and Luther - that's true!

Still these are few out of many of them,

The many that put others first till the end.

"Now this," Mum concludes, looking at me,

"Is the truth I know, and which I believe;

If you love only yourself, you cannot succeed,

But if you love other people, your joys are guaranteed.

Now think of what is better than that slice of bread."

She leaves my room after patting my head.

What can I say, could Mummy be right?

Could life be bigger than that one selfish bite?

What do I want than a slice of bread?

Will food or water accomplish my quest?

Nothing I want more than a slice of bread,

Either have this or better be dead.

Poem by Oluwatobi Chinedum Ayeni

First written July 2021

Photo by American Shot 8.0