"There Are No Bastards Here" by Terra Cooks

Also known as Poetry N Motion

From her Poetic Boundaries/“I Have No Boundaries” poetry collection

Featured on Rare Talk With Jacqueline October 19, 2010

Let me explain a few things,

and I know it’s way past time

But, I want you to know how I feel

and see things in my mind

See, I wasn’t ready when you came along,

but I thought it best to do it on my own

They say you’re a bastard,

a child without a father,

a mother all alone

I say there are no bastards here

not this child

not in my home

It was hard making it day to day

especially when those close to you had only harsh things to say

With no will to live,

I nearly gave up my life

Trying to hold on,

almost lost the battle not once, but twice

Not knowing my own strength,

I found a way to get us through

Knowing it’s not your fault,

but, my responsibility to love and take care of you

Tired, angry, constantly frustrated,

physically drained and mentally constipated

But seeing how you’ve grown, I just don’t see what they see

My child as a bastard?

No!

Never!

Not to me!

Crying at night or sometimes during the day

Wondering, asking what did I do to deserve such pain

‘Til I realized you brought back the joy

and helped me live life again

At times you talk too much

and sometimes question my authority

And maybe I thought about giving you up

or leaving you in that hospital nursery

But I know I did good

when you said “Happy Father’s Day” to me

So there are no bastards here

from what I can see

Just a mother and her children

living as a family  

                                           Written by Terra Cooks