A poetic exploration of unripe mothers by Akodu Oluwaseun Shedrack

'Unripe Mothers' by Akodu Oluwaseun Shedrack

Mothers! the ones we had in those days

They were mothers of reference and reverence

The ones we knew then are Nation-building mothers…

The ones we had then were Ransom-payer mothers.

Those days when wedding garments were precious

Every mothers in embryo lust for it.

Those days when bride price are heavy.

Every parent longed for it.

Those days when women of virtue were trained.

Then we had mothers.

Alas! Mothers of nowadays.

Six months breast feeding mothers.

Broilers feeding mothers

These are the mothers of nowadays.

The mothers of nowadays are on the street.

Receiving pays for sexual service

They are the naked masquerade selling pride so cheap.

Alas! Mothers of nowadays.

Mother murderer mothers

Beautiful faces on an empty head mothers.

Loose mothers!

When shall we train kings again.

Those mothers who are still

Suppose to be on breast.

Mothers raising mothers

As murderers.

Baby factory mothers.

Hails! Ayei kwei Armah

Are these the beautiful ones

Yet to be born?

My misconception or yours

This burdens my heart with bothers

Not a disrespect sir.

Who born them

Who raised these

Of what use

What pride

In what generation

Who will answer these

You or me

Of what stand do you answer

What reputation

I beg your pardon!

Eyes-closed truth dispense

These are the unripe Mothers

In hunger we plunge them.

They cause stomach pains, global warming.

Hopefully we shall have

Real mothers again.

Akodu Oluwaseun Shedrackis a student of English and Literary Studies, Ekiti State University. He writes with discretion, poet with passion. This poem was first published on poetry.wrr.ng

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