The Outcast

I heard their call in the far land But I will not respond Their deeds I will not look at before rising Their accusations and murmurs however whack me in the face And my tears become unstoppable Is it my fault that I know not my father? A first son born into a royal home But today I walk among our people as an outcast I am a stranger With no father’s blessing or a mother’s love Is it my fault I come by night? To the home of my father I come by night because I am ashamed Ashamed because I am disowned Disowned because I am despised Despised because I am abused It is not my fault I know not my mother’s prime mate When I walk among our people I am teased Teased because I have no father’s blessing They toot all day, enquiring ‘’But where is his father?’’ Answers always arrive at my door post ‘’My father is dead and left me with no blessings’’ But I know he lives somewhere in the next village Papa, come and shower your blessings on me As a child is born and loved Papa, come and kiss me As a child is accepted by his own people For in your absence I was humiliated, lacerated and castigated by your own people How many sleepless night I have encountered When they say there goes the outcast But papa, come and shower your blessings on me As a child is born and loved Papa, come and kiss me As a child is accepted by his own people For I am your child and a son of this village When the ceremony has come For the sons to recount their father’s achievement And pride themselves with their father’s glories Tears filled my eyes For my face drenched in pool of tears And my mind enquire ‘’Where is your father’s glory’’ And how should I know I am an out cast Hated and despised by his own people Like a stranger Like an uninvited guest Papa, come and wipe the tears on my face For your arm is all I crave for. Nii- Ayi Solomon