Father Where Art Thou? Poem by Angela Bontle Ditumiso

Because you spied
Knew about me
Then fled
I'll call you traitor
But only because
I'm too gentle
And being soft at heart
I love you

Father
I will write the truth
I will not lie
Remember when I needed you
And I asked for you help
Remember what you said?
You said if I ever need anything from you
I should wish you dead
Because then I'd inherit a hundred thousand
Father those words still pierce me
Remember I said I have a soft heart

I'm a country lacking your footprints
My soil bruised with your absence
And everything you've ever said
But for now, I'll keep quiet
For the sake of peace