My African story (part 2)

by The Po whet   May 30, 2016


I was born a "love child "
at least that's what I came to know
from the whispered secrets,
the so called "well hidden truths".
I'm not ashamed of me,
It was never my mistake.
Mother never told me,
if these were true or not ;
I've never asked her.
I knew that question will
prick her more than embarrass her.
How can she admit to me
that I'm the fruit of a "one night sexual rendezvous "?
I won't call it "stand" because I'm
the evidence of that meeting.
At least I got to know who my
father was ,
maybe because of the influence
he had on society.
(a society that followed him blindly)
Power attracts like a snare it seems.
But remembering how young mother was then ,
I think her future was cut short
by my "voyager" father .
Even in his death bed
he died a proud man.
I was there but he couldn't
look me in the eyes and apologize
maybe tell me
"Son, be a better man than I've been ".
He left behind a widow
and her children .
(many children)
till date I don't really know
how many step siblings I have.
But I don't care much,
I'm the wild oat their father sow.
I know it sickens them whenever
they look at me
and they see their father.
"why is it that the bastard
had to look exactly like daddy? "
Their perplexed faces always
seem to ask.
It's like I've taken their title ,
what doesn't belong to me
but theirs deservedly.
(again I don't object)
I wish they knew how
his last name
is my nightmare every night.

By: The Po whet

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Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    I appreciate the fact that you have come out and told your story, sharing your thoughts, feelings and history of your birth which to me as a reader makes me feel connected and from start to end it has kept me within your write...touching write :)

    • 8 years ago

      by The Po whet

      Thank you Meena I so much appreciate your comment.

  • 8 years ago

    by The Po whet

    Thanks Em for the comments in both parts (1&2) ,I appreciate it so much. I think the lashings were important too (lol).

  • 8 years ago

    by Em

    Hi, this story has me gripped and actually (I'm not sure why) had me almost crying possibly from angry.. I'll enlighten you.
    I'm glad you don't feel guilty for what happened as like you say you're not to blame and this sort of thing happens a lot especially now as people have become so greedy, unfortunately. As you know, I was not part of a 'one night rendezvous' but I have had to deal with blame because of my fathers infidelity.
    I'm sorry you lost your Dad but even more so that he couldn't give you an explanation of sorts or tell you to be the man that he wasn't (though I feel through talking to you, that you've become that 'better' man without his help.)
    Now, the part I felt angry with is the fact you seem to get blamed for looking like your father and taking his name as if it was a choice you could make, by your step siblings. I hope that they no longer pass blame.

    Beautiful write with so much feeling (hugs)
    Take care, Em

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