The Arrogance of Strangers

By Lylani

**Firstly apologies this is far from my best work, I'm just really wound up and need to vent, and secondly, I can spell I'm just from England where mom is spelt mum **

I've made some not too clever choices
And I'm sure you have too
But I don't share my opinions with strangers
Unlike you

I see those looks you give me
I must be stupid
I must be easy
A slut
A whore
A tramp

Why else have a child so young?
You never ask
You just judge

There's no ring on my finger
What a crime!
Shall I tell you why?
Or am I too far beneath you for you to care?

Well
My sweetheart
My 'One'
Left me
Because he was terrified
Of something so small
With such huge implications
I didn't ask to be a single mum
So stop looking at me like I'm dumb

But I guess I've got myself to blame
I should stop listening
To the comments behind my back
Stop caring what others think
Because it breaks me

I starved myself when there was nothing to see
Barely a bump
Because your stigma made me ashamed to be me
My baby face didn't do me much good
I was 20 but I looked 15
And thats what you see
A child with a baby
So please stop judging me

I owe you nothing
But I'll prove my worth
I work nights so I won't miss him
I never take charity from the state
And I spend days
Playing
Learning
Laughing
With my beautiful boy

Because I'm the best kind of mum
I give time and love
So when you're looking down on people
Think of those who never feel the love of their children
Because they think money and a nanny is enough

But in the end all your snide comments
I put down to jealousy
Because with your closed mind
You could never be as blessed as me

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.

Published on Friday, December 5, 2008. Filed under: "Rage" and "Poetry"

Comments on "The Arrogance of Strangers"

On Sunday, December 7, 2008, disposable (103) wrote:

right on sista! 'nuff said! *3 cheers for lylani!!!*
A former member wrote: In my opinion the best sort of parables are true ones. Thank you for sharing this. The strength revealed serves as an admirable lesson.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, estherbell (52) wrote:

i always think of single mums as really brave,one of my best friends is a single mum too,and quite often I envy her..:) And by the way,i assumed as well that everyone was from the US...I live in Brighton,funny coincidence:))
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Echoes of Orpheus (357) wrote:

I love writes that really put things into perspective, the sides of the stories we never knew and made assumptions about, we've all done it at some point. And a happy ending too, that is the best kind of mom. Write on
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Lylani (112) wrote:

Thank you all for such kind comments, its been the bit of reassurance I really needed today. So very sincerely thank you.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Leith Plunkett (237) wrote:

I mean no disrespect adding this to favourites being a personal piece but you have captured something as perfect as it gets. I ask that you always keep a copy of this and give it to your son when he is older (he will be the only one who matters) His eyes will never judge you, to him you are an angel.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Lylani (112) wrote:

Thank you, I am always honored when anyones faves my work.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Leith Plunkett (237) wrote:

If I may comment on the piece. It is extremely well written. You feel the anguish, and the pace takes you with it. the lines (Because he was terrified Of something so small), 1 of the most powerful pieces of wording i have read. An exceptional piece.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, carlosjackal (2788) wrote:

Love it :) I think people don't realise that a lot of the time single mums are single because the 'Dad' can't hack it and allow their fear of responsibility to overrun them. The cowards. Very well expressed and wonderfully honest :) -Carl
On Friday, December 5, 2008, carlosjackal (2788) wrote:

Came back from a walk with my daughter today and the headline on the Brighton Argos newspaper boards outside newsagents reads, "Teen Dad-To-Be Hangs Himself". Makes your piece all the more potent.
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Lylani (112) wrote:

OMG that is so weird I just saw that headline on my way home. I always think everyone here is from the states, nice to find a local (I'm from Haywards Heath by the way)
On Saturday, December 6, 2008, carlosjackal (2788) wrote:

Haywards Heath? Wicked :) It's always great meeting other English poets on this site.
A former member wrote: well said...those that judge, arent the type of people you need in your life,..doesnt make them bad,..just narrow and ignorant,..i also had my first son when i were 20,..its been the one constant love that never wavered regardless of lifes ups/downs,...i now raise my 3 kids as a single parent and life is good,...id be be lost and wasted without them,..their the most important part of me..stay strong.