NEVER A CHILD
Doose Ieeveh@dooseieeveh994901
3 months ago
#poetry
#nirclestories
Chidinma is my neighbor's daughter, she is the first fruit of her mother, the pride of her family, an Ada. She stands tall amongst six siblings, one could easily tell who the commander of the forces of Obiageli's compound was.
Chidinama's voice rings clear through the entire compound, she calls her siblings to order in a single shout and you wouldn't dare disobey for she will land a fine slap on your face; a trait she very well learnt from her mother
A hundred and sixty eight hours in a week but Chidinma barely gets any to herself. From the moment she awakens, she is dipped deep in a lake of chores mothering the six children she did not bear
She's wearied and can barely make out the letters dancing on the pages of her book but father does not pay all these money for her to flunk at school so she puts in her best every day; the best that is never enough. She started down at the 37% on her sheet and quickly shoved it into her bag
By the time her feet hit home, it is 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She is greeted by a pile of dirty dishes and her mother's voice from across the kitchen
"Chidinma! I soaked some clothes in the basin outside and there is egusi in the kitchen, start the meal when you finish washing. Biko, I will be back"
Underneath surpressed burning tears she answers "yes Mama"
It is now 7pm, Chidinma is bent over a pot of hot amala turning it with the expertise of a grown woman. She settled her siblings and they ate together amidst plenty chatter.
The time is now 8:30pm and mother is yet home. With the baby firmly strapped to her back, she walked into the cool of the night and gently rocked her to sleep
She scratched the wall in idleness, a single tear slipped down her face, she was only 12; a mother to children she didn't bear.
A child that grew up before she had the opportunity to be one
