ONCE UPON A FILIAL DAUGHTER

She sat at the park forever, Waiting at the door for the knock to bring daddy home. She waited till the rhythm changed...

Men say she looks loved,
But who a father is, she never knew.
All she sees are stories mother made;
Communication and attention were alien to her space.

Days she needed to talk about boys who stared,
Girls whose gazes lingered,
Dreams that stayed, and pains that wouldn’t stop.
She kept pushing, growing, and making excuses.
“Daddy will come for me” was her favorite rhyme,
But all was an illusory ride.

She sat at the park forever,
Waiting at the door for the knock to bring daddy home.
She waited till the rhythm changed;
Till all she now understands is:
“Whoever loves you won’t be too busy for you.”
The veil fell, and she became that child who no longer cries papaoti uteng!(Daddy is coming)

Now the park is alien to her;
Waiting is no longer a pleasure.
It’s once upon her filial piety.

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Olusegun Ajayi
13 days ago

“Whoever loves you will not be too busy for you”. Cant agree more

Adeyemo Raphael
12 days ago

Leaving isn’t always loud, it sometimes happen quietly.

This is a beautiful piece.

Semilogo
11 days ago

I love your insight bro

Bassey Abraham
12 days ago

Apt

FANIYAN JEREMIAH SEGUN
12 days ago

This poem is a quiet, aching reflection on abandonment and emotional absence. Through simple but powerful imagery, it captures how unmet parental love shapes a child’s understanding of affection, patience, and self-worth. The transition from hopeful waiting to hardened clarity is especially poignant, making the piece both heartbreaking and deeply relatable.

Adetogun okikiade Oluwatobiloba
12 days ago

You understood the message

Bridget
12 days ago

Beautifully written ✨♥️

I’m touched

Lordpeter
12 days ago

A wonderful write up that really connect deep…I can relate to this 🙂

Adeyeye aderonke deborah
12 days ago

Beautiful write up💜

Jolayemi Peter Oluwaseun
12 days ago

Beautiful piece 😍😍😍😍

Elijah
12 days ago

This is not just a poem but a story of becoming and transformation.

It’s so beautiful

Peace Enokela
12 days ago

We forget that they’ll grow up…
Most times, we realize very late that they’ve outgrown us
Beautifully written, Tobi

Penpal (Oluwatobiloba Adetogun)
11 days ago
Reply to  Peace Enokela

Thanks my love

Olamide
12 days ago

Beautiful piece ❤️

Dada comfort Adeola
12 days ago

Very nice poem
Keep it ip

Ayoola
12 days ago

Love is entails making someone your first priority ………the moment someone who claim to love Nd cherish you start acting nonchalantly…..trust Nd believe….it’s never love in the first place .
Whosoever love you will always show up for you irrespective if their busy schedule.

Zoe
12 days ago

papaoti uteng!

That’s the sound I listened to and read its lyrics all day.

Good work tobi

Tifeh
12 days ago

Beautiful piece.

Muritala jelilat
11 days ago

This is amazing

Adesina blessing
11 days ago

A touching story
About love, expectations and the irony of life👌

Simon Peter
11 days ago

So interesting

Semilogo
11 days ago

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Precious
11 days ago

This is not just a story but a journey of becoming.

Keep it up oremi

Adekunle phebe
11 days ago

This is amazing

I must comment that you are good at what you do
Keep it up my lovely friend

Olaleye Emmanuel Aduragbemi
11 days ago

Interesting…..

Keep it dear friend

Oluwatomiwa
11 days ago

Busyness will never be an hindrance for anyone who love or cares about you….it a very huge lesson.

Well done ma.

Oluwamayowafunmi
11 days ago

Oluwatobilobasimi, “Whoever loves you won’t be too busy for you to check this inspiring write up you have for them.

Big boss
11 days ago

To me love is just a transaction

Ajoke
11 days ago

This is a beautiful piece 🥹

Jerry
10 days ago

Wow, lovely