Love Poem: Lerato Gave Me Love
Abel Jae Avatar
Written by: Abel Jae

Lerato Gave Me Love

Thank you, Old Lerato, for your love
To myself, an insignificant boy.
You empowered me with the love you gave
For love builds and doesn't destroy.
I remember how you used to shout
My name as your bus approached our stop
And you'd leave behind some bread for me.
As I came I'd make the half loaf out
There, on the ground, away from man or shop.
I was favored with an aged chummy!
I'm indebted to you without a doubt!

You were friends with my beloved granddad,
But somehow you were my friend as well.
Only your taste of sweets I thought was bad!
X mints  were too strong for a small pal!
But the sweet thing was what they stood for:
An adult's love for a little fellow.
It was like nourishing food for me!
In course of time I heard your health was poor,
And later I got a terrible blow:
That you'd passed on and was I gloomy!

One day, prior to the funeral,
I decided that, young as I then was,
I had to do what was good and moral
Otherwise I would feel like a Judas!
So the mourning family received
A little neighbor bringing comfort!
It was me coming to see Old Lerato,
An act after which I felt relieved,
Feeling that, at least, I'd made some effort.
Henceforth, for loyal love who'll I go to?


             May 16, 2022
             Form O - Ode - New Poems
             Constance la France
             Theme: Love