30th September 1960

Twas an early morning
The cock just started crowing
My bed was rather empty
My belly still round and hefty

I rubbed my eyes
Then rubbed my thighs
Touched my bump
The checked the clock

He was nowhere to be found
He was pretty underground
I was used to it
Dare I say extremely used to it

I began my chores or duties as he called it
Then he walked in all smiles and sweaty
“Morning Ari” he said
That petname stood in my namestead

That white man would go tomorrow
Sadly I didn’t feel sorrow
He was the father of my child
The father of my joyful child

“Freedom! Freedom!” people cried in the streets
“Freedom Freedom! ” they yelled from west to east
I cried “Freedom” but to my hearing
I did not want Mr. Clark’s last beating

He was kind to me
Made me his mistress you see
But when he got drunk or angry
It ended in me receiving a beating

I had not seen mammy and pappy in years
Them being dead was one of my biggest fears
So tomorrow as soon as green and white flies high
I’ll board a ship and wave this house goodbye

The day went quickly
And then the night fell
Mr. Clark had a meeting
Or so could I tell.

Then by 11:45 he stumbled back in
Laid on the bed and mumbled
“I love you Ari” or something like that
I packed my bags to go back home although I didn’t have much

As the clock struck twelve
I took my bags and my belly
Bent down to his ear hoping he’ll remember
” I’m no longer yours, it’s 1st of October”