too old and too fat,
you are told
you must have him,
a doctor, no less.
Forced into children
too late and too long,
you are warned
they will drain you,
investment no less.
Forced into beatings,
too hard and too deep,
you are hushed
into silence
he's a tough man, no less.
Forced into anger,
too cold and too proud,
you are made
into martyr
for your child,
yes, no less.
(c) Charlene Rajendran 1999