I hate my body, she said,
And my heart sank
Because clearly she didn’t think I did a good job creating her
She began to pull chunks of flesh that I had so intricately formed
She pointed at spots that I had used to punctuate her perfect skin
I hate my body, he said
As he used his skin as a canvass for artwork
Soon enough it was hard to tell his skin tone
As all I could see were tattoos carved on the skin I had taken so much time to form
I hate my body she said
As she cut herself up
Absorbing all the drugs she could
Just to take her mind off her hurt and insecurities
I hate how I look! He yelled
Abusing substance more than one could imagine
Getting so high
Surely he was about to fall
Why did you make me?
She sobbed while standing on the bridge
Ready to disappear in the waters
At least one less ugly duckling
Would make the world a better place
Or so she thought
It grieved me that they couldn’t see
What I saw
So short-sighted,
They needed glasses to see
How I made their skins
So unique,
The sun couldn’t scar it
The cold winter couldn’t mar it
Who told you that you were ugly?
Better yet,
Who can make a better you?
Please raise your hands!
Let’s enter a contest and see who wins
Just because you create little Barbie dolls
Doesn’t mean you make the perfect body
Oh please! Humour me by creating man!
Who said stitching yourself all over would make you beautiful?
I look down and wonder where my daughter is
Do you think for a moment
That I lied when I said you were good?
Good enough,
I had to rest from making you
Who made the birds?
Do you think for a moment
That I who made those beautiful creatures
Would not also make you more beautiful?
I crafted you with my hands
I knew you before you were conceived
Please don’t believe the lies that you were a mistake
You were ordained from the start
Check the master plan if you doubt
I made you unique
One of a kind
Custom designed
If you doubt, check who matches your fingerprints
Why grieve me?
Why make me sad?
My dear one
Don’t believe the lies
Don’t hurt yourself
Because you’re hurting me in the process
I still love you.
-From Your Father
©Mfon Etuk, 2016
Dainty M. 