To my brother who taught me never to kneel
to anyone but God, never to feel
Obliged to get down on my knees, regardless
Of if or not he says please, see it’s a
Matter of integrity and he’ll never be able to
boast “Oh, I had her down on her knees!”
Like a dog? A four-legged beast?
I think not, I beg to disagree

To my brother who taught me that he is
always the one lucky and I’m one of the
Best girls he could find – not the other way
Around, get it straight in his mind, that I
Am the blessing that came down from the
Skies, he’ll never be good enough no matter how
Hard he tries, never good enough for my
Brother’s little sister, ha, he better keep it
Quiet (the fact that he kissed her)

To my brother who taught me that he should
never disrespect and I should be the one
to demand and keep that respect, every effect
I’m the one to allow it – And I will never
Allow it, he needs to keep in check the things and
Words he hurls, really, your mother didn’t teach
You to never hit a girl, well, my brother
Taught me never to let a boy hit me,
so please remove your body, I bruise
Easily and I aim to keep my skin –
As well as my heart – blemish free

To my brother who taught me self-worth and
Respect, independence, self-preservation – myself
to protect, To my brother who taught me to
Be confident in me, share my pretty smile, love
Abundantly, To my brother who taught me to be
Resilient as that redwood tree, strong and caring
(is this the butterfly you did see?) To my
Brother who loves me unconditionally … To my
Teacher of a brother, I do thank thee