Artparasites – How Art You Today?

pain

My Mother Should’ve Told Me Also About The Good Men In Her Life

I wish my mother had told me about the man who asked her out for five years only to end up just being a friend who always takes care of us because she did not love him like that.

I wish my mother had told me about her pastor who used to bring them basic groceries whenever my grandfather disappeared with his side piece on pay day.

I wish my mother had told me about the guy on the bus who always gave up his seat for her or any other woman who was standing because the bus was full.

Watercolor by Henrietta Hariss

I wish my mother had told me about the man who was our neighbour who always woke up and checked both his yard and ours whenever he thought he heard a funny noise at night.

I wish my mother had told me about that random old man who told her she was a gem and that she should take care of herself and god will bring her a good man one day.

Watercolor by Henrietta Hariss

I wish my mother had told me about the boys who always helped her carry groceries as she jumped off the bus with a bunch of plastics she knew she would never be able to carry home by herself, and how they always refused her R5 when she tried to say thank you.

But instead my mother told me endless stories about the night my father left and how he forced himself on her numerous times. She told me stories about the guy who beat her. Stories about the guy who hurt her. Stories about the guy who never called back. Stories about the guy who raped my neighbour. Stories about the guy who used her. Stories about the guy who lied to her. Stories about the guy who infected her. Stories about the guy who raped me.