Pancake Baby Poem by Birgitta Abimbola Heikka

Pancake Baby, people sigh as she walks by
In layers of powder cake is her face plastered
and her shoes are too high she can't keep balance
as she sways up and down the street in the early evening

Pancake Baby, people shake their heads as they stare
through their windows
Her hyena laughter fills the air but is out of place
You can tell the merriment does not reach the two sad eyes

Pancake Baby, people hiss if they cross her path
Looking for a man as she struts up and down the street
but finds none for no decent man in the village
wants to be seen in her company
and stumbles home alone on feet muddy

Pancake Baby, the villagers mock
her who never leaves home without her layers of powder cake
but at night when the door is closed to her room
they hear her praying to the Almighty
and sigh, and hiss, and shake their heads in wonder