Dear Mamma Poem by Wensislaus Mbirimi

Parirenyatwa Hospital
Ward B12
Box 1022
Harare

Dear Mamma,

Hope you are well mamma
Here I'm suffering mamma
All around me is groans and pain
I'm surrounded by screams, tears falling like rain
Nurse has just left, the trolley laden with food untouched; Again

I'm thinking of you and Papa
How we used to sit for supper
Do you think of me, having my favourite stew?
The laughter I always drew
And do you…

Sorry the nurse was by
Had another concoction for me to try
It set me musing
The thought not amusing
Ma. How could I
I can hear you sigh
When did it all change?
Ain't it all strange?
One minute God fearing daughter
The next sinful worthless daughter
Like so many of selfsame gender of yore
Got hooked on the want of more
Money Ma and the want of even more
It changed your beloved child so

The Doc will be around soon mom
He reminds me a lot of Brother Tom
He is testing on me a drug, new on the market
Hope not a money making racket
I will write on Ma, soon, as he is gone
Just hope he won't be long

How is my sister Ann-Mary
Is she still planning to marry?
Hope she does so soon
I don't want her like me her life to ruin
If only I had not chased the wind about town
I too might have settled down
Sugar daddies Ma, brought me down

Tell every one ma to go to school
Or else all will end up like me Ma. A fool
I failed school exam Ma
Only to pass the pregnancy test
The baby died Ma and too I passed the Aids test

I'm wasting away mama
My life I've wasted away mama
Only kids' clothes fit me now mama
I try to talk but only stammer
Thought it happened only in movie and drama
Too late I discovered to me it can happen mama

Ma I can see everything now
Though mine eyes be closed
I will say everything though I now can't talk
I have been there ma, though I can't walk
I did all that could be done ma; all was done in vain
Chasing the wind ma, brought no gain only this pain

Still I hold on ma
You put faith, willpower & strong mind on me ma
You said to be of good courage ma
Neither dismayed, discouraged nor frightened ma
You said the Lord my God would be with me ma
As he was with Joshua

Oh the pain is getting worse
I try to ignore it, to think of it less
Ma, tell pa and all to pray for me
I too am praying ma,
hope judgement won't be harsh on me

My strength is ebbing, fading fast ma
I see stars, Angels, beautiful sights everywhere
No more pain ma
Gently a hand pushes me down, closing my eyes
I fight it ma; I know what it means
Before I go to sleep ma
I love you ma and sorry for not telling you sooner
Till we meet again Mama

I remain your Daughter

Donna

P. S. I know now what life is about
I'm fading away fast so I will try to shout
Life Mama is all about… …