Labor of Childhood

Throwaway child abandoned by father rejected by mother No place to call home no food, no safety, no shelter just work to be done. Minding the store, paying the bills, taking care of mother and little brother. Child promised her mother, "I won't let you loose the house." Sent to school often tired and hungry, Classmates showed no mercy. "Say you're a boy! Cry!" Taunted, battered, tortured; the child refused to cry. She sucked all the emotion in, Vowed to defeat all enemies, to protect, provide and serve her family no matter the cost. Young girl called upon to be a man always felt male inside.