My Age Means Nothing Poem by Babalwa Mbalula

I might only have been around for a few years
Some of you might even say my lack in years
Might have an influence on my view on
Certain things
You might even go to the extreme of calling me
“Wet behind my ears”
I know so much and I’ve seen
A lot as well
My innocence was stolen from me along time
Ago
I lost it and you did not even know
Well I guess you tried your best to protect me
But you could not keep me from the reality of it all
I’ve had temptations and I’m still tempted
I tasted some of it
And I still live with the regrets
Of those temptations
I might look all innocent from a distance
But if you come closely
And take a deep look into my soul
You’ll see that it’s been tarnished
Pain and hate are a part me
They are my life
I live for them
My tender age is only …….that
My soul is that of an old woman
This young face carries a lot
My age is only a number
Get that! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !