A sigh, a look of sadness, you turned away
The resignation forcibly hidden as you turned back my way
You accepted, I had to leave
The dreaded hour, you couldn’t believe
The blood you gave beat on
As the ship crossed the horizon
A lonely tear down your face
On the wharf after everyone had gone
I prayed I wouldn’t bring you disgrace
Daddy had left, but you kept keeping on
Making ends meet for me
Through diapers, sleepless nights and scraped knees
Through nightmares, hunting and coconut climbing
Heh! I remember you made me wash my clothes
Now I’m here, far from you
Falling, getting up, checking myself, going on
I enjoy the freedom, but I miss you
I’ve grown and become mature, without you
I’ve become responsible, because of you
It’s been 14 long years without you
The only sign I have of your aging
Is when I hear the strain in your voice on the phone
The excitement at hearing my voice, your child’s voice
Estranged and far from you
Out of circumstance, not choice
I pray, dear mama that you hang in there
My plantation, you said, was my schoolin’
And now the coconuts have grown
I’m making copra, and sending you the proceeds
Making copra from the plantation you helped me to build
The plantation you financed from Kindergarten to University
Through your tireless labours of love
Your fearless tilling of their land
Your sleepless nights of worrying
Through your selfless prayers of love
Mama, all that I give cannot match
The immense sacrifice you’ve made for me
But I am glad for this day
Dedicated to you and others like you
To celebrate you being you
To cherish you being you
To accept you being you
To know that you are you
I love you mama