She cuddles it, laying the great head gently, like a giant egg, on her tortured breasts;
Her eyes, tender and soft, remains on its face; it stares back through black beady eyes,
The only part of it that still has spark of life in them.
His elongated forehead hangs like a dark cliff over his vision;
His spine cannot support his head, his family cannot support him.
‘He’s got water in his head,’ the doctor says, ’he needs an operation.’
‘He’s got evil in his head,’ the neighbours say; ‘he needs to be thrown away!’
‘We can’t stand the sight!’, some relatives say, ‘euthanasia would ease our shame!’
He can’t stand and none but her can stand him;
Her eyes reach out to the parts of him her hands and voice can’t;
‘You’re my child and I love you!’
His toothless mouth drops open, and his eyes takes over his dumb tongue:
‘I know, Mum, and I love you too!’
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Prince Ajubo @elyone
An Ijaw from Okrika,Rivers,I have a B.A.degree in Linguistics/Communication,from Uniport.A musician and a freelance radio presenter,I also write for the African Labour Watch Magazine.Go to Prince Ajubo's profile, and read more of his/her posts.
Beautiful but vague!
Ever heard of the medical condition called hydrocephalus,@maisolomonic?
Wow! You have me crying now. The ignorance that exists is dizzying but still, what to do?
Amidst harsh words and paranoid whispers…a mother’s God given tenderness for her child still shines through.
You capture our worlds myopia rather too well@elyone.
U got it,dear.Thank you,@dottaraphels.
Sigh… very sad situation, @elyone.
Yes,it is,@TolaO.
Good, good piece. Apt
Clearly expressed. I could visualize this.
Beautiful.
Thank you.
Hmmm Sad but true, only a mother would know the pain and gain, monkey no fine, him mama must still love am. Well done…
A mother’s love so beautifully captured.
Grim tale, beautifully told.