Book group participants from different sites read and discussed "Bang!" by Sharon G. Flake, a thoughtful book that investigates African American manhood, relationships between fathers and sons, survival, and forgiveness as a family grieves the death of a child. In response to the prompt "The Long Road", they wrote poems about their experiences growing up, including these two poems about fathers.
I began when my father left me
and my family; I was 5 years old.
I traveled through my thoughts of
how could someone make a family
and not be man enough to care for their own?
I searched for answers to my own questions…
Why? Then realized I don’t need him.
I’ll learn by myself, on my own.
I moved towards the future and thank my Mom
for staying there with me, shoving Kool-Aid in my pockets
and stealing food to feed me.
I found the man inside a little boy. I didn’t need a father;
my mother’s love is one thing I did have though,
and she will always be appreciated for it.
Tony Salinas
Age 18
Second Chance Alternative High School
I began growing up without my Mom and
not knowing who’s my Father. I traveled
through all the things I didn’t have. I searched
for the Mom and Dad I never had. I moved
towards why I should have to deal with it if they don’t?
He never came to look for me? I found the
love of a mother in another lady.
Elias R. Thomas
Age 17
Second Chance Alternative High School
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