Mama, Can You Still Be Proud Of Me? Poem by Kweku Atta Crayon

If it all turned out that I have lied.


1. You have really done well
You have kept your virginity
Now we can give you out in good name

Papa Ojoula
Come, come and listen to good news
Let the prekese boast of its own aroma
Ojoula tell him, that which you just worded

Papa, I tasted the banana in primary six
It was Sumpa, my brother
He convinced me, I liked it
We did it again and again

Mum, wipe those tears
Yes this is the good news
You had no heart for it
Papa has, though he will slap
I still know he has.


2. You took me to church on Sundays
Placed me in the Bible quiz team
Made sure I grew in the church

I told you Mum, thanks for the church

I shall never depart from this gift

Now you have heard and seen me

In black suit, white shirt and tie

Seated with the men around that table
With the big book, you crave to know

Whether it was a Bible
No Mum, am sorry, it is the codex gigas

Jesus couldn’t save me when the church ended.


3. You never listened to me

You never wanted to know me

You were into their world

So you also said some

“Go to school, get good grades, job and you rich”


What can I do to please Mum?

That question bought you a new son

Far different from the one you had raised

Those white papers with A’s and few B’s

Those that made you smile and called me proud son

They were just typed results from the café behind


4. Look, that was Sister Gloria’s daughter

The one who just aborted a baby

She will soon be suspended in the church

Am glad you pointed only a finger at her

And the remaining four pointed straight at me

I was responsible for her pregnancy

She kept quiet because I had to make you proud


Mama, am sorry all these Years
I have been making you proud

Now can you be proud of me too?