OPOKU DOE

I don’t like memories of you
…although they live with me
I love that you were a part of me
…but dislike your moments of suffering
…my moments of breaking
…our moments of crying
…our moments of parting

II
I see kids your age and imagine you grown
… into the handsome teen I envisioned
…when I gave you life
You were handsome
…no, you had a handsome body and a beautiful face
That maybe the gods feared in a man structure
I so loved you

III
It is unfortunate that we lived as we did
I felt I was a bad mother
The angst
…that almost made me hate your existence because of your torments
The hatred that made me dislike God as he watched without answers
The helplessness, that made me see doctors as ordinary
And the burdens that made sleep stay far away from me
…every night
Made me feel inadequate and dead within

IV
But I was young
So young I didn’t see the Teacher of patience that you were
You taught me to love unconditionally
You taught me to always listen
You taught me to pour out my heart
…in words that can touch even dead souls
You taught me to live
…live in risks and satisfaction that eventually amount to fulfillment

V
So I am grateful for your time
First seed of my womb!
I love the love you taught me
I love the maturity your ‘podua’ sprinkled on my being
I love the advice your departing soul gave me
I love how you led me to a better father for your younger
But I miss you
…daily
And on this day, as tears water my pillow
…even when duty calls at 7am
I pour out my filled heart
In hope of emptying it to feel lighter
So I can wholly face another day
In a way that will lead me to make you proud
…proud that you chose a mother like me
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © June 30, 2025