Author Information
Daughter of maa
You worry much over her, papa:
lest she passes her prime unmarried
lest she conceives in your home
and brings up offspring
of a homeless daughter.....
You worry less over her education
you think much of the prospects of dowry.
What if you marry her off to your old buddy
then she's desliked, she's battered?
Or due to his sexual inadequecy
she falls in love to a younger man?
Would she blame you for her adulterous life?
You worry less over her lovelife
you think much of the wealth...
Lest she falls into ignominy, educate her
let her live her own life,
hold her own guard
she would share with whomever she loves.
this poem reminds me of the real life in maasailand. Years back my father was a bestman in a traditional wedding where his friend of 65 years was getting married to a girl of 18 years. The poor old man has since died and it is now that the widow is approaching 25. What a wonderful poem!