scarlette Phoenix (1987 March 25 / Cape Town)

Over a quarter century ago,
sometime on a Wednesday,
I took my first breath,
I can only hope, I took yours away.

Not long thereafter,
So long ago,
I can hardly remember,
you turned my life upside down.

I'd just turned One,
and already you were having fun;
expecting a new baby
the baby momma crashing my party.

Mother couldn't handle the pain,
Wouldn't stand for the shame.
Wouldn't let her daughters suffer.
SO she left you in the gutter.

I'd see you weekends
Or whenever you had time
You went and remarried
Everything seemed fine

The older I got
The clearer it became
You were a ladies man
It was your fortune and fame

Sweet sixteen and
surprise, surprise
I have a sister,
just 10 moons younger.

Slowly i got to learn
of all your offspring
luckily for me
it's not my brother i'm dating

Lives are lived
and you go on making more
breaking hearts
do you keep score?

Father-less children
That's all we are
just after our mothers
before we came along

Such a charmer
to get what you want
I'm surprised you're not sick yet
with the way you love c...

Looking back on it all
I realise what this is
this was more than fun to you
It was a job of ease

You used the mothers
luring them with empty promises
The offspring an investment that pays out
until they're old enough to figure what their life's about

You've sucked us dry
yet you have no shame
I put my foot down
on me, you have no claim

I may owe you my foresight
but you have no part of my wisdom,
my courage or strength
I thank my mother for that freedom

Today I say
I may carry your name
Your blood runs through my veins
But that's as far as we go, I shall have no blame