You wake at dawn.You

You wake at dawn.

You dress; every piece by layer.

You move accordingly to what you only know.

20 years, no stop.

 

You leave saying bye.

You get to your destination. 

You work so brutally hard.

You sacrifice your complection.

360 days, no stop.

 

You work no matter the weather.

You work no matter your health.

You neglect the feeling of pain.

You live life in black and white.

10 hours, no stop.

 

You come home at 4 all dirty from all the dirt; to do house chores.

You come back from a long day picking, yet, you still do more.

You take care of your children although you had a long day at work.

You feed them with their favorite meals. Just to please them.

You consider there wants and needs before your own.

Every afternoon, no stop.

 

You are a single parent with three times the responsibility.

You have no support from the biological father; you carry everything all on your own.

You hide your pain away like it was never there.

You don’t take care of your needs thinking there useless things.

5 years, no stop.

 

Yet your oldest daughter didn't see your world.

 

She grew up happy and loved by everything you gave her.

She was clueless to all damage that coursed through your core. 

She played,she lived, she enjoyed herself while you grew empty inside.

She didn't realize all the things you were sacrificing for her.

She was raised up knowing only half of the truth.

 

Yet the older she got the less naive she became.

 

She finally saw the emptiness you carried in your eyes. 

She finally saw all the damage you were holding.

She finally saw how physically your body was getting from all the labor.

She finally saw how you lost your way and gave up hope.

 

So she decided to grow up at 12 year old, try to carry some of the weight you carried.

 

She became a second mom for her siblings.

She took on tasks to make your day easier.

She cleaned so you wouldn't have to.

She helped prepare food so you wouldn't have to.

 

Because she didn't want you, after a long day at work have to do all those things.

 

She felt your hands rough and hard with cuts and swelling.

She felt your skin hard.

She saw your once white skin turn to a darker tone.

She saw you how you would try to massage your muscles and not be able to reach.

She heard you cry at night which felt like a punch in her heart each time.

She heard your groans every time you finally laid down.

 

Seeing this she decided she didn't want to see you live like this. She was going to find a way to stop your suffering

 

She became a good student.

She started to think about her future.

She stayed up studying just to make sure she got a good grade.

She made an effort to smile and be happy even though her situation at home.

She joined programs to expose her to her career interests.

 

Believing she can build a better life for you and herself is her goal.

 

Even though she might cry in the middle of the night looking up at the stars.

Even though she doubts her capabilities.

Even though she feels sad because she doesn't know what she will do in life.

Even though she feels like everything is too much.

Even though she might read many books just to try to escape her life..

 

Praying to God for guidance and hoping that he has a plan for her.

 

Being only 16 she knows how much responsibility she upholds.

Being your daughter has pushed her to want a better life for you.

Being able to grow to see the reality of her life has motivated her to have big dreams.

Being raised by you has taught her value in everything you do.

 

Being a single parent, working in hard labor and being in pain has made you a hero in her eyes.

 

I had to grow up because it hurts me to see you suffer.

I had to grow up because I didn't want to end up in your shoes.

I had to grow up because I realized how much you needed help.

I grew up because I am determined to give you the life that your deeply deserve.

 

 

This poem is about: 
Me
My family
Guide that inspired this poem: 
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