The weight was on your shoulders, yet you never complained
You played a double role and for this we declare your fame
There are days I know you cry
But we applaud you because you try
Your hands might have blisters
But for this your crown glistens
Today I stare at the mirror and I see you
A hardworking woman, bearer of who I am
Your whites shine with the sun on the line
And church passerby stopped to comment on them
For these whites you complained at nights
Because you gave them all that you might
You got so much, and you gave it away
And even though your children complained
You said we are not just being kind in vain
It is Sunday and I’m tired from a night of play
But you opened that window because it was time to pray and give praise
We grumbled and threw the sheets over our heads
For the devil wanted us to stay in bed
It is Monday morning time to start another week
Time to get ready for learning
But I dread these days
For adulthood I’m yearning
I disliked your plaits in my hair
For other students teasing I thought this was unfair
With oil scaring my forehead
In shame my head was buried
On Tuesday you shouted because I was rude
I thought you were unfair and got in a fuzzy mood
How could you shout at me and make me cry?
How dare you cuss because of a mere stutter?
Didn’t you do the same when you were a child?
But these were mere mutter and you were only upset because you were scared.
Now I am almost 22 and lessons were taught.
Mommy lessons were learnt because you fought.