Mothers And Daughters Poem by Nhi Bui

Hiding in the shadows, hidden in the dark
Lurking, watching, waiting
Plotting, planning, anticipating
Circling like hungry, savage sharks

“Always be careful”, a mother's warning
To her young and lovely daughter
“Some men don't behave like they ought to
and daughters don't come home in the morning”

“Be careful my darling! Do be aware!
In the dark they're waiting there
They wait for you to be alone
To pounce on you on your way home
So be aware! You must take care
When you are on your own
Or they will take you, they will break you
And then what would your mother do? ”

And so of shadows and darkness and men
Daughters have learnt to be afraid
If they don't listen to what their mothers say
They might never come home again