Love your children - Michael Theophilus Dom

Listen my friend, love your children.
Not only their birth, but who being;
Not only their lives, but how to;
Not only their laughter, but why so;
Not only their walking, but where to;

No, really listen to me; love your children.
Not only their life, but what good;
Not only their livelihood, but whose chores;
Not only their happiness, but how so;
Not only their adventures, but which path;

Yes, my friend, really love your children.
Not only their pride, but how true;
Not only their rights, but when wrong;
Not only their rejections, but what reasons;
Not only their bitter grief, but how sweet;

Now my friend, really love your children.
Not only their faith, but why doubts;
Not only their victory, but when failing;
Not only their wants, but what needs;
Not only their present, but which future;
Listen my friend, love your children.

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Michael Theophilus Dom (born 1977) Papua New Guinea
Source: Send words as gifts: Selected & new poems 1995 – 2015, Michael Dom, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016
Used by permission as noted in the above publication