With determination, I waited for years
For a chance to survive, I pleaded with tears
Striving all days to be free from boredom
I want to know how it feels to live in freedom
Among my brothers I stand with hope
Even my feeble sisters managed to cope
I yearn for the opportunity to proof my worth
To make my potentials known to the world
It is written that few were called
But the crown will be worn by one
The one who can survive the rough and curve
That mind that will fall but still stand tough
Unannounced, the day came for us to race
No chance for runner-ups, the first gets the grace
Among millions of athletes, I raced and won
Others got wasted remaining not even one
I regained my freedom and mourned my brothers
Who for coming late fate has slaughtered
And to my sisters’ grave, I laid a wreath
For they raced to death and knew no peace
I sat in the lonesome channel, awaiting fate’s call
Getting my life through the umbilical cord
Now, I can feel the warmth with my skin
I’m beginning to know what it means to be a being
Months have passed and I cannot wait to go
To strive in the world and attain my goals
I will live right and get a perfect spouse
My late brothers and sisters I shall make proud
I can’t wait to meet my dear father
With whose tutor in life I will go farther
Mother, I will forever appreciate that you harbour me in your womb
Your words I shall honour even till I reach the tomb
Oh, mother is walking to where I do not know
Maybe to the market to get me a coat
No, she is talking to the doctor
Maybe after then, she will see the tailor
And now, I can feel her lying on her back
Are you tired? Mama did not hear, but I asked
I must treat her like a queen when I finally see her
I will buy her the whole world and even the best car
Oh, I can feel a hard metal touching my tender skin
It’s breaking my bones and injuring my shin
Mother! Come to my aid, I am badly hurt
I am bleeding heavily for this bloody cut
This tool is separating me from you, mother!
Tell it to stop or it will be guilty of murder
I’m not yet ripe to see the world or the light
An hand is pulling me out and holding so tight
Mother, life is ebbing out of me
Why did you plan to deny me my dream?
I have been severed; I have been denied access to life
Why have I been denied this beautiful right?
Mother, fortunes abundant would have been yours
To you nations could have bowed in turns
Now it seems all has come to halt
For in your womb golden dreams se to rot
I have been destroyed, I have been banished
In another dimension, hope has vanished
Why was I called when I was not needed?
These are the questions of all aborted children.
Ogundipe David Oluwasegun writes from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.
