MY DEAR PARENTS

1

My dear parents

Since you schooled me

It’s difficult for me to write

Even greetings

Or inquire your goings

Now that I’m a grown up:

And your love and care have grown out.

I too understand not

How soon and why?

Whenever I’m sick

You’re my nurses

And your visit is sure

Can I remember the last time -

I paid you a visit in the hospital?

It’s true that you are serving my table

With food stuffs

As my granaries are for sale;

And my pockets to educate my children

And another car model

But I can’t afford

A salt for you.

My dear parents

Am I a grown up-

Has your love and care have grown out of me?



II

My dear parents

Each drop of ink is a drop of tear

As I recall my past as today

I feel to relive my life

Once and again

To make straight the path

I have crooked along;

As you read a struggling language

From unsure education

Of your vain sacrifice for my national fees

But my expulsions and errands stay in school

I strangled the understanding of my teachers

As I roamed -

To exploit my adolescence

Disco charges -

From given school fees

Your tears and plea; advice and prayer

I never gave a second thought.

But whose sailing is a sea of tears?

But whose future is a broken mirror?

But whose brain is a loitering litter?