Arrested Development Poem by Malphia Honwane

From afar things looked pretty amazing
So great I thought they were worth exploring
Friends whispered in my ears: "Go for it"
You live only once, they said to me
Excitedly, I jumped on the bandwagon
I was so thrilled the conclusion was forgone


They urged me to get myself a sugar-daddy
They said that was the only way to be merry
A few weeks into it I learnt the hard way
My curiosity got me swept by the sea waves
I hopelessly fell pregnant
My dreams helplessly became stagnant


Today I am sitting here numb and cold
My lack of control threw me into a deep hole
My eyes are tired of dishing out tears
All I hear are constant regrets filling my ears
Premature motherhood is looming
Sadly, the future of children my age is blooming


I look back and be overwhelmed with anger
Deep down I know I should have done better
A fatherless baby is on its way
And I have no choice but to take the blame
I should have embraced education
'cause it would have ensured my emancipation.