Raising a president

The truth is..

The truth is the way I love you....
I love the future I see for you
The man I want you to become
The potential I hear when you speak

The truth is the way I love you
I buy you clothes because I would like you to practice the art of dressing up suitably for occasions
I buy you cigarettes because I hope that in future you will switch to cigars
I buy you beer because I want you to know the different tastes of barley
I buy you brandy because I want you to learn to appreciate it beyond its high alcohol level
I force you to drink wine because I want you to see beyond their grape make up
I brush your hair because I want you to realise that chiskop is still a hair style
I get your perfume because I want you to learn the different notes in a scent
I get you to cleanse, tone and moisturise because I imagine your skin as soft as the baby I call you
I buy you books because I want you to learn to master playing with words
I tune in to talk radio because I want you to be in tune with general knowledge
I straighten your crinkled shirt, fix your broken belt and shine your dull shoes to show you how far compassion goes.

But you don't see things the way I do.

You think I buy you clothes because I want to show off to my friends that I control your wardrobe
You think I buy you cigarettes because I also do the occasional smoke
You think I buy you beer because I like the silly things you say to me when you are drunk
You think I buy you brandy because I like to floss about the fact that I've been to brandy tasting
You think I make you drink wine because it has cheaper alternatives than beer
You think I brush your hair because I am embarrassed of your just-woken-up-look
You think I get you perfume because I think 'spray deodorants' don't do your armpits justice
You think I get you the three step because I fear your pimples will eventually rub off to me
You think I buy you books because I think you can't read properly
You think I make you listen to talk radio because I think you don't see beyond music on frequency modulation
You think I straighten your crinkled shirt, fix your broken belt and shine your dull shoes because I don't want to be seen with you imperfections in public.

The truth is the way I love you I'd hate to hate you because what I see in your no one else can
I'd hate to hate you because in you I see a president.
All those times you said Vukuzenzele to me – the depth in your voice tells me you could make it.
I see you managing a rally with little effort, just like the way you manage to always call to order your friends.
The way you always mediate a situation between your friends makes me think you are the perfect man for the Middle East situation.
The way you walk into a room and immediately get noticed – I fear that at times your shyness will take over – but the charm, which even your eyes exude – turns the fear into pride.

The truth is, in you I feel like I am raising a president.
Do not feel that you are imperfect, and I am trying to change you – know that in you I see a president. The things I do while you haven't taken up office yet - are what first lady's do – and I'm trying to be your first lady.