The Illegitimate Son Poem by Kimani wa Mumbi

Let not time
make us forget
our past.

You I called 'father'
gave me nights full of
misery.

I was but a little boy,
innocent to the core,
but who knew no joy.

No wrongs unnoticed,
rights went unrewarded -
yet we seem to forget it.

No. We cannot.
We should not forget
the nights I sat up crying.

The days I ran from home
too weary to withstand
constant beatings with no cause.

But why?
I was but a little boy.
Ever remember that, Father?

I was innocent
though illegitimate.
I was a little angel.

Let not the sunups
and sundowns fool us
to forget that past.

Father, do you remember
all the hell you caused for me
though your throat never knew any drink?