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The New Bride

THE NEW BRIDE 




It was okay for us to sleep in the dark.
But I've just been sent to get fuel.
The new bride has to sleep fine.

It was okay to eat without meat.
All that mattered was that we didn't starve.
Now chicken has been bought for the new bride to eat rice.

We don't need new clothes.
It doesn't matter that mama's wrapper is faded and worn out.
But we have to get new clothes for the new bride.

Mama has not sat in papa's car for years.
Now the new bride sits in the front seat of papa's car.
They are going out. 

Papa used to take us out on weekends.
Then he started to have busy weekends. 
Now I understand why.

Papa never gave enough money to buy food.
Mama, a good woman, managed whatever little he gave.
This has been the ritual for years.

The new bride is here and spends a lot of money.
She is called classy.
Mama is called cheap.

We drink garri for lunch.
The new bride eats good food for lunch.
She's meant to enjoy, we were made to suffer.

It doesn't matter that mama struggled with papa.
There's a new woman who is more exposed.
For this reason, she deserves better treatment.

Papa can keep caring about the new bride,
While mother and I starve.
I know one day, we'll be fine.

 Zaynerb


Many of us know this feeling, please drop your comments and share after reading.

Comments

  1. Abdulamid Adebayo30 June 2020 at 08:02

    No lies here, it's the reality of the world we are in this days.
    Our men, them say we fit marry pass one wife, but then, are we making things balance among our wives. It's sad how some men forget the good old days, the sheer love they had with their wives and the promises they made before they met their new love. It's unfair and selfish tbh.

    Auntie Zainab, e weldone o. Nice piece like always 🙇‍♂️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zaynerb1 July 2020 at 04:15

      Thank you very much. I'm glad you understand this.

      Delete
  2. asqolany30 June 2020 at 11:53

    Smiles, inside life, my everyday lifestyle.. At least we eat😿😿😿... And we re given the grace to live...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nafisat2 July 2020 at 02:23

    It hurts and instead of mama to vex finish, she will say " Your Father is a good man". I just pray I don't marry someone like papa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Verdant2 July 2020 at 10:10

    Beautifully written piece. I love the fact that this speaks for a lot of people with words unspoken. Kudos

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown21 August 2021 at 01:31

    ❤️

    ReplyDelete

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