(Dedicated To All Single Parents)

Poem Title: Judge Them not

Yes i am a single parent
What about it?
Does it make you better than me?
Even as a single parent
I have seen it all
Single parents raise smart kids too

I learnt to take responsibility
The aftermath of impatience
I wish i listened to Mummy
Especially when Daddy echoed it
But the deed was done
Now i am a single parent

He said he loves me
Reached out in love
Took my precious jewel
A gift for the only true one
Young and naive
I caved in
Now i am a single Mum

My bestie got entangled
With a diamond plaited ornament
I wished it was me
I envied her union
Then Prince charming came
Went out faster than he came
Now i am a single Mum

In the line of duty
Defending the defenceless
A nation of insurrections
Between enemy lines
Like lightening the bullet struck
My Gallant officer fell
And now, i am a single parent

Behind his charm
Laced with infectious smiles
And sweet nonsense
Was a monster
Worthy only of castration
Holds a degree in domestic violence
I had to walk away
That i may live again
To tell her story

You can't marry my son
You this "Ofe Mmanu"
If you marry "Aje okuta ma mu omi"
I will divorce you
Even if you are pregnant
My religion forbides our union
But you slept with her
Put her through several abortions
But this stuck
God is watching

The pendulum has swung
Women gaining more economic power
A power than needs control
I just need a child
Can't give one losser the reigns
If only i can bait him
Just to be his baby Mama
Who really needs a man?
But from the beginning
It was not so

He walked away forever
After he survived poisoning
And a scar from his co-pilot
Because he loved her
He walked away
Not because he was weak
At least he escaped the walls
The prison walls of Kirikiri

Single parenting?
A blessing
Or a curse?
Until you open your heart
Listen to them with empathy
You never know how strong they are
The secret tears
How they manage desires
What a way to live

If you know a single parent
Either by choice, divorce or death
Judge them not
Show some respect
Show some love
Because nothing last forever
At some point in our journey
We will all be single

If you know a single parent
Take their children out
Be a coach and a mentor
Fill the void without benefits
Because their God is watching
Those Babes with big God
And Dads with big hearts
That is true essence of living

Lest i forget
A single Mum raised Barrack Obama
Dr. Ben Carson was also raised thus
Even if a single Dad raised me
He taught me values
Respect and tolerance
Above all, he taught me love
And "Yes"
Single parents can raise good kids

Babatunde Raimi (Author/Life Coach/Poet)