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Twenty-one years ago
On this very day in June
I stepped into this world
A baby, screaming out of tune
I stand in front of you today
To speak about my life
Something I have never done before
As through my heart it puts a knife
My mother hated the sight of me
“You’re a mistake” is what she’d say
She never wanted to have me
As back then, I cost her seven months of pay
“Why didn’t you just erase me?”
I innocently queried when I was six
“It’s not that easy” she had sighed
“When it’s a human being in the mix”
I never missed a father figure
Until I went to school
And that was when I noticed
That others had parents two
I have never known my father
I have no clue of his name
Or what he does or where he lives
Or if he’s someone with fame
I saw several men come home
But none of them was dad
Whenever I asked my mother about him
It made her really mad
She worked long hours every week
Most days and all through the night
Sometimes she’d stumble home in the morn
Looking as though she’d been in a fight
I’ve seen her come home at dawn
With swollen eyes and bloody lips
And that one time when I was eight
She came with two broken ribs
When I was nine and still naive
I asked my mother what she did
During all those nights away
And sometimes with men going on trips
She said she had to earn her keep
To pay for the rent and food
“And what about you?” she said angrily
“Who would send you to school?”
One day at school when I was ten
An older boy came up to me
“Did you know your mum’s a slut?”
He asked with a grin, conspiratorially
I knew not then what it was about
Or why he would say such lies
But slowly things began making sense
All those strange men, all those long nights
Knowing my mother’s real job
Made me crawl into my shell
I didn’t want to make friends
Because I was embarrassed of having to tell
I decided that very year
I would focus on my school work
And my household responsibilities
My duties, I would not shirk
A teenager at thirteen
I began to blossom and physically grow
As for my mother’s nightly clients
An interest in me they began to show
It made me uncomfortable
It made me feel sick
To be leered and groped at
By these sickening pricks
I complained to her about their advances
Hoping for some support
Instead I received a slap on the face
And verbal abuse galore
She thought I was stealing them
And thus ruining her life
I think she had deluded herself
As each of these men had a wife
That was when I knew it:
I was extremely ashamed of her
Of how she demeaned herself with these men
A woman I call my mother
My teenage years passed in a blur
We hardly spoke, my mother and I
I presented myself as a happy girl
But knew I was living a lie
The day I turned eighteen
I had made up my mind
I was leaving the house
With my mother and memories behind
I found myself a job
At the local grocery store
To support me through college
To pay my rent and more
I did not hear from my mother
I thought I couldn’t care less
But occasionally I’d remember
Her moral support through my HSC stress
About six months ago
My mother finally died
She was bashed by one of her clients
Who damaged her fatally inside
I went back to the place
I once called home
To clear out all her belongings
And give to those that need it most
Whilst rummaging through her boxes
I noticed something new
There were several pages in her writing
Lying in a box all askew
She had held on to the memories
Of me growing up
And from what she had written
It seems that me, she really did love
I read through my mother’s notes
Dating from way before I was born
And whilst initially she seemed to despise me
As I grew, she was torn
I now realise why my mother did
The job she did each day
She had no other choice
If for me she had to get some pay
And so today, to you I say
My mother was a prostitute
No longer am I ashamed that I was her child
As I’m proud for all she could do
Author’s note: This is a work of pure fiction. Please read it as if the protagonist were in a country where prostitution is legal. Catch the other Indiana Legends here: Avada, Leo, Moulee, PNA, Rumya, Sanchit and Tikuli.
Until next time,
Cheers!!!
Titaxy
14 June 2010 at 1:37 amSo powerful. Loved each word…could feel the emotions flow so beautifully.
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 1:44 amThanks T! The comment means a lot to me… =)
Sudhakar
14 June 2010 at 2:33 amWow. Effortless, Impact-full, Brilliant. Loved each and every word of it.
Shilpa
14 June 2010 at 3:21 amVery strong.!!!
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 5:23 amWelcome Sudhakar! And thanks for the lovely comment… =)
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 5:23 amThanks Shilpa! =)
Rumya
14 June 2010 at 6:04 amPB, you have captured the turmoil which goes on in both the Mother and the Daughter’s mind. You cannot decide whom to side with but the end is so great that you end up sympathizing and justifying with both for behaving the way they did. I especially liked the way the girl comes to terms with her life. The sudden twist in her attitude is what remains in the mind for a long time. Its an excellent poem well narrated. I loved it. left me with a heavy heart and a tear.You have left an indelible mark with your simple words, short lines & stanzas. You have captured the topic and me. Totally.
Sonu
14 June 2010 at 6:12 amGENIUS!!!!! 🙂
Gyanban
14 June 2010 at 6:16 amGood flow and intense lines.I love long posts…it gives time for the feelings to evolve and this poem does exactly that.
Nice.!
Harini
14 June 2010 at 6:24 amVery good and powerful 🙂
Leo
14 June 2010 at 6:24 amBabby, to narrate a story in verse is no easy task. Being a poet, I can vouch for that & you did a fantastic job here. All the best to you and praying we Raiders pull it off too! 😀 🙂
The Fool
14 June 2010 at 6:50 amBeautiful stuff. I thought you were good at 55f only. You seem good at poetry too. And a story through poetry? Amazing. Your team seems to be writing all stories as poetry – first Leo then you. But I loved both your works,
Lazy Pineapple
14 June 2010 at 7:36 amWoohoo..wonderful PB…touched my heart….
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 7:44 amThanks heaps Rumz for the lovely words…truly appreciate it and your support!
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 7:44 amLol Thanks!
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 7:45 amThanks GB! Means a lot coming from you given how awesome your writing is! And this is probably the longest poem I’ve ever written but that’s because I had to tell a story…
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 7:45 amThank you Harini! =)
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 8:18 amThanks Leo…y’know what’s funny…I found it easier to tell the story in poetry format than prose which is what I initially started with! Go figure! And yes, here’s hoping we can do it! =D
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 8:19 amThanks Karthik! I will admit I started with prose but it just didn’t flow and was a lot harder. Poetry seems to be easier for me in a weird sort of way… =)
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 8:19 amThanks LP! =)
Kanupriya
14 June 2010 at 8:23 amI really don’t have words to express my reaction on it…touching, soul-stirring & so far your best!!! Very very nicely written.
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 8:31 amThank you so much Kanupriya! I’m humbled…
Dhiman
14 June 2010 at 8:39 amA story in a form of poetry was very unique and touching as well….Gr8 one…
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 9:09 amThank you Dhiman! Glad it did it’s job… =)
Maverick Money Makers Review
14 June 2010 at 10:40 amhi i look this site and there are so many tips!
Smitha
14 June 2010 at 10:50 amThat was beautiful PB. Moved me to tears. It must be such a tough life for a child of a prostitute. Absolutely beautiful!
Smitha
14 June 2010 at 10:50 amForgot to wish you luck 🙂 All the best for the contest!
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 11:02 amThanks heaps Smitha! I’m glad it was able to have such an impact… =)
Psych Babbler
14 June 2010 at 11:02 amAnd thanks fr the best wishes…same to you too! =)
Celestialrays
14 June 2010 at 1:02 pmamazing PB! This is one of the strongest pieces of writing I have come across 🙂
Arif
14 June 2010 at 3:16 pmYou bring out the emotions perfectly through the choice of your words! Good luck PB!
Avada Kedavra
14 June 2010 at 3:54 pmToo good PB 🙂 The plight of the girl was really touching. You narrated it so well. And I loved the way you explained the plight of the mother too. She obviously had no choice. No one turns into a prostitute by choice. Gooooooo Raidersssss!! 🙂
Witty jester
14 June 2010 at 5:33 pmPure awesome….every time I read your posts I reprimand myself for not coming hre more often 🙂
Jaspreet
14 June 2010 at 6:41 pmA gripping read!! It’s an amazing story, very well written in d form of a poem!! all d best 🙂
Sanchit goyal
14 June 2010 at 6:58 pmAmazing!! just amazing!!
Till the very end you feel for both the mother and the child. Though until the end I had the feeling that the girl didn’t do good by leaving her mother but she made it up in the last line when she feel proud for her mother and not ashamed!
pal
14 June 2010 at 9:13 pmAbsolutely LOVED it, PB. This was certainly one of the best entries!! Love the way you have etched both characters.. mother and child. Moved me to tears…
ani_aset
15 June 2010 at 7:33 amok this was different and interesting way to put up a work of fiction 🙂
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:11 amThanks Divz! I’m stoked with your comment =)
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:11 amWelcome! And thanks heaps Arif!
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:12 amThank you Avada! Here’s to the Raiders! =)
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:13 amWelcome Jaspreet! And thanks for the lovely comment! =)
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:13 amThanks for the lovely compliment WJ! =D
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:15 amThanks Sanchit…I’m glad you felt that way while reading the poem.
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:16 amAw thanks Pal! I’m glad it was able to have the impact I was hoping for. =)
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 8:16 amThanks Ani! =)
Tikuli
15 June 2010 at 11:01 amThis is by far the best post I have come across. You are a genius. Loved the way you have captured the spirit of the mother and child. Rocking.
Pushpee
15 June 2010 at 2:21 pmreally very touching, the plight of a girl who has no options…beautifully written… :))
vicious
15 June 2010 at 5:58 pmthat was sooo touching !!!
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 9:24 pmThanks heaps Tikuli…nice having a compliment from a great writer… 🙂
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 9:24 pmThanks heaps Pushpee! =)
Psych Babbler
15 June 2010 at 9:24 pmThanks Mukta! By the way, it’d be great if you could leave a link to your blog… =)
Neha
16 June 2010 at 9:01 amoh my, this was so powerful..and positive.. very well executed PB..good luck for the contest 🙂
Psych Babbler
21 June 2010 at 4:45 amThanks for the lovely comment Neha! And welcome to my blog…
BreathingSoul
29 June 2010 at 9:02 pmHeartbreaking, but ultimately triumphant. It takes a lot of courage to put such a piece out there. Congratulations and well done!
Psych Babbler
30 June 2010 at 11:49 amThank you for the lovely compliment… =)
Reema
11 July 2010 at 6:02 amwonderful wonderful poem!
Psych Babbler
13 July 2010 at 9:53 amThanks heaps Reema! =)