Needless To Title This

It had been my mother.
Who taught me how to respect others.
Regardless of their predicament.
And if I didn't,
She applied swift discipline.

My father's mother and father's father too.
Were there to teach,
Everything else I needed to know.
To grow and live my life.
Independently.
Ensuring I would become,
The man my father could not be to me.

And as I have aged to be the man I am.
To earn and not be given,
A peace of mind.
That is my own to define.
With kept faith and beliefs,
I could face negativity and obstacles...
Wherever they were on my path to see.
I was not afraid or chased away.
Knowing from the start in my heart,
The blessing to have such 'Angels'...
In my life.
Had only been bestowed upon me,
By The Almighty God.
And if ever in my life I came to doubt this.
I will always reminisce,
A switch from a bush my mother...
Made me pick to hit my butt with.
Then to say to me, 'Boy...
Do you think I enjoy doing this.
So you can do what you wish.
As if you're the man around here!?

'But...Ma...?'

'MA nothing.'

'You told me you wanted me to grow up.
And be the man you wanted me to be.'

'Yes I did.
But you're still a little boy.
Acting as if,
You pay the rent and every bill there is.
Then argue with me as if I'm your maid.
Who do you think you are around here?
Your father?'

'Uh...
Ma?
If I should ask,
For a multiple choice question.
Would my request,
Make it worse or better for my butt?'

'Boy?
Where on Earth did you come from?'

'Well...
The last time I saw my father.
He told me to ask you,
That very same thing.
I'm being punished for something,
I had nothing to do with!'

'Go.
Go outside and find your sister.
And don't come back here until you do.'

'She's near the playground.
Jumping rope with her girlfriends.'

'Learn to do that too!'

'But, Maaaa...'

'Don't but me maaaa, boy.
Get out of face.
You're getting on my last nerve.'

And...
To this very day,
I've discovered minding my own business.
Is a safe way to stay,
As peaceful as I possibly can!

Although I must admit,
The lies and rumors I've heard.
Told about me at the age I am.
I find more exciting.
Than the life I actually live.
With my encouraging them to continue.
For whatever the reason,
I've become addicted to controversy.
Who knew,
That a going along with the program...
Would keep a peaceful existence,
Much more easier to live to keep as is!