When I was a child
I never thought I had a dad
For always it was only mom there
Making sure I had enough to eat
From her struggles in tiling the earth
She stood my guidance angel
And my protector when the others mocked
Trying to make me ashamed of my kind
Only she could enfold me in her warmth
At the sound of every thunder strike during rainy season
Only she gave her life
That her seeds survive the Ajayi crisis in Nasarawa state
Only mom was there, running from the farm to home
To hide us in the bush when the crisis started
After which she left amidst the gun shots
To get some eggs and floor
To prepare what to eat in the bush
Before we headed for makurdi.

In makurdi, we landed in Uncle's house in yagba
And it was challenging for a physically challenged child
And a village boy coming to the city at same time
Yet she believed I can make it
By making sure I attend classes daily
Although I didn't like school.

Few years after
I think in 2003, my dad finally appeared
And the truth is
I didn't like him
Because in our first encounter, I felt he didn't like me too
Because as a last born
I expected to be treated like one
Especially from a father I longed for his love
But it was the opposite
With him giving me an uninterested look

And even when he later passed on in same year
I felt like nothing happened
While the other family members were in grief.

Today, I think I was wrong
In the way I placed him in my heart
For much happened that I didn't know
My sister told.
Some how I forgive him
But you all know, there isn't deep love for a stranger.