Voice Of A Child Poem by Tebogo Errol Hlahla

Did you think I’d come and go at your behest?
What about the respect, I request
You’re an adult
But still you have no right
To order me around like some dog
Even they are treated better these nowadays
Your parenting stinks, you don’t deserve an award
You said you’ll be a parent to me, what nonsense is this you coward
Beating me up for not carrying out your instructions
I was only a kid and you should have had more consideration
Your principles of parenting, if you did have any, were worse than apartheid
Now all I feel towards you is apathetic
You’ve ruined me for my children
Because I’ve been so badly raised
So abused as a child,
I’m not sure I can be a good parent, no thanks to you
Your idea of raising me was a slap here and a punch there
To an occasional whipping or hitting with a shoe heel
Not forgetting the yelling and screaming as I cried
I hope my emotional wounds are healed
‘Cos the memories are definitely still clear like it was yesterday
I was so innocent and vulnerable then; you were supposed to protect me
Now my self-esteem has been affected for the worst, that is
The Human Rights Commission could be afflicted by this
Thank you for ruining my life you miserable excuse for a parent
You services, as a parent, I wouldn’t even rent
I’m not a brat so don’t even try to blame me
You hardly know me, so don’t try to claim me
Giving me money for bread,
Was so hard for you as if I was asking you to give your last breath
Calling you my parent for all these years, has left me with an irreversible damage
At my age, I should have moved on
Now you see the extent of your bad job?
Yes, you did a bad one
You’re not worthy, forget me, I was never your child
So stop calling me that
You’re dead, you dirt.