I am that girl
whom mama struggles with at birth.
That girl,
who grew up with grandmama from birth

For mama was always busy
travelling here and there on business trips.

I would have loved to live with mama
but her constant absence left me in the hands
of aunt or grandma.

I preferred grandma to aunt
for with her, there's no stress as a child -
I'm afraid to be maltreated by aunt
but I know grandma would never do that
so, I chose her instead of aunt.

I am that girl
who grew up to be more of grandma
who at first,
do not like shirts;

Native attires are her best
clothings to wear.
I live like grandma -
cook like grandma
for I really love grandma.

I am that girl
who paid her own fees
when mama delayed at it.
That girl proprietor understands
and from mama, helped to collect fees back.

I am that girl
who got bullied by fellow students
because she's the oldest in class
That girl, who was demoted from primary two
to nursery two;

The truth is -
I am that girl that first attended public school
and was transferred to private school
because people compelled mama
to send me to private school for being ninth
position out of a hundred in class.

I am that girl
who from that nursery class
till this very moment only came second once
maybe it's because of my birth month
or is it that first position is in my blood?

© Merci A. Mujidat