Elder Brother

My elder brother despises me
because he is the heir
he does not till the land
feeding it is my family
taxes it is my family
he tells me I am nothing

my elder brother is arrogant
he’s a member of  Elder Brothers’ club
meetings are behind doors
waiters are sent off
there they coach each other
art of denials and exemptions;

education, wealth to be denied
travels to be denied
share in family leadership to be denied
land to be denied
young children in all families
to be denied all the vital means
when I ask for the rights
he points at me with heir’s stick
cursed with power to make me dry

What shall other children and I do?
there is outcry in all families
our elder brothers are partners
in a plot to suffocate us
and enjoy our rights unilaterally
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace