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.

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oleputunoigk's picture

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!