Amour Maternel Poem by Obodokasi Ade'etem Agbor

To the wombs that bore me
From half to whole,
Foetus to flesh
Till I summed nine moons and ready to drop.
The thighs that fell apart
And never contracting even in pain,
To spare this petty being
Calm and thoughtless.
I regret the harm and pain I caused.

To the hands that held strong a brittle being,
Unsteady and fearless of fall,
The sore nipples that visited my lips
To address the hunger in me,
The restless lips that sang me lullabies
And kissed me to smile and sleep.
Pray, forgive the nights I stole your sleep.

To the voice that imparted wisdom unto me,
The loving eyes that grew stern
In chastisement
When my thought train derailed.
Forsake the years I contested against your knowledge.

But then I was a child,
Calm and thoughtless,
Unsteady and fearless of fall
And all that love meant nought to me.
Now I am a man!
Your love has brought me thus far,
Your hands have held me strong,
Your sweat has set me before the chalk
And I have learnt enough
Never to strike the fingers that fed me.