STREET HUSTLE: A POETIC STORY.

 I grew up in the rugged street of Lagos where everyone had to fend for themselves: young or old.

The rash and scorching sun would feast on my drilling sweat as I work tirelessly at the baking factory, I can lose the chance to being a man, the society will loose faith in me and that is a step on not willing to take on my pride.

I can choose to do a less stressful job to feed myself, what what will mama eat? What will sibling's eat?, Ever since father died, I've learnt to understand the real meaning and purpose of being a man; life doesn't really go easy if you're a man.

Mama is sick, her illness is growing day by day. Someone please tell me where she got cancer from? Papa tried all he could, he worked day and night to get money for her treatment but every effort he made just seemed useless, until one day he also stormed up and died, leaving an inexperienced me to take care of the family. Mama isn't feeling better, sisters have stopped going to school, landlord is buzzing my phone every minute, I really have to do something.

But the Yoruba people will say "ibi tó bá le, lán bó'kunrin" but this is too much for me. God please, lift this weight off my shoulders, I'm getting tired already.

***

I'm home now, looking at mama as she laid on her sickbed, sisters are asleep, what can a man do. They say a "man shouldn't sleep with both eyes closed" How can I even sleep that way, when I hardly have a place to rest my head in this one room apartment I live in with my family. God really isn't being fair to me. But I thought he said we should ask and he will answer, he said we should knock and he'll open, but I've been asking him to cure my mother but he hasn't done anything, open the doors of blessing for me and he still hasn't done anything. I really don't know what's going on anymore.

**** 

Mama is dead now, leaving me with sorrow and two little girls to take care of. Now I have to be a mother too. 

I will try my best to give them the best life I can, but what more can I do than all I can do.

I know God doesn't forget his people. I just hope he answers me soon.

- ImpeRial Pen.