Ola Poetry: African Proverbs

ile la ti n ko eso re ode

as a man unrolls his eyes daily,
he is a derivative of the society
an output of family and choices.
he wears conscience as a cologne
because it’s how his home smells,
he wears kindness on his arms
because that is how the anko is worn,
he straps respect on his wrist
because that is what the time says,
he spews unjust harsh words
because that song is played at home,
he laces a boot with holes of pride
because shoulders are raised at home.
a man is everything he learns from home,
everything he chooses to unlearn from home.

Tọ̀mídé Abdul

Proverb meaning: Charity begins at home