Heartstrings of Fatherly Love

Carries me in his arms, beaming with pride

I look up into his eyes, It says you’re my pride,

my seed you have my heart.

We share a smile, onlookers say ooh, she recognizes her dad but it’s beyond that

An agreement that transcends generations and

realms sealed by that grip of his pinky

We have each other, we agreed.

Sits me on his laps and sings nursery rhymes

With lyrics so different, delivered with a

croaky melody as we share a laughter

swaying to the rhythm of our songs and

Clapping to congratulate ourselves for

a good show as the curtains close

Guides me as I set out to learn

A shield from the harsh realities unkind to innocence

His hands correct, no rod is spared and

conveys the blessings he speaks over me

s I lay in bed to sleep

I began to question myself

Slouched shoulders I carried,

reliance on add-ons to look beautiful

Dad said, “Yours is the purest of African beauty

You need nothing to look good because

you are my beautiful daughter

Whole, smart and all round beautiful.”

Never doubt yourself, my child.

WRITTEN BY KAMSI

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