Where Are You?

Dedicated to La’Tisha

Awakened by that beautiful scent
As it caught me in a spell
In my heart it placed a dent
That old familiar smell
Looking around frantically
I didn’t know what to do
Asking myself painfully
Where, Where, Where are you?

The joys of laughter, giggling
The voices of children playing
The sound of their tiny feet
No other sound could compete
Running all of their fears behind
The thought of her enters my mind
Binding those feeling together like glue
Where, Where, Where are you?

Daddy, Daddy, a tiny voice cried
Daddy, I need you, it got louder
Barriers around me, to break I tried
Fighting, struggling, I couldn’t see her
Daddy, where are you? The voice was fading
I heard it again, this time very slow
I’m right here! I’m right ... My tears began flowing
My baby, my baby, oh please don’t go
By: Mtima Solwazi, Trinidad



When Will It End?

Dedicated to Daina

From the conception of our child,
I’ve only wanted to be her father,
During the stages of your pregnancy, my support was never in question.
The deterioration of our relationship was in no way related to her birth,
Yet! You deny me the opportunity of being her father.

I have no history of her first steps made or her first words echoed,
I missed out on seeing her graduate from both kindergarten and primary school.
Her early childhood experiences are not etched in my memory,
Because you deny me the opportunity of being her father.

The years we spent together were filled with good and memorable times,
There is no reason for you to constantly treat me with such discontent.
You know that our daughter’s wellbeing is of utmost importance to me,
And you deny me the opportunity of being her father.

I have made tireless attempts of being a father but to no avail,
Her birthday is an event marked on my calendar.
Her holistic development is of paramount interest to me,
Still! You deny me the opportunity of being her father.

You have managed to manipulate and distort my character,
You succeeded in concocting false images of my personality.
Our daughter’s impression of me has been tainted with lies and mistrusts,
Thus! You deny me the opportunity of being her father.
I am overwhelmed with fatigue and extremely frustrated,
It’s as though I am fighting an uphill battle.
I’ve always loved our daughter and will never stop,
Why are you denying me the opportunity of being her father?
By: Mtima Solwazi, Trinidad