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.

4.1 14 votes
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Olusegun Ajayi
2 months ago

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

Adeyemo Raphael
1 month ago

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

This is a beautiful piece.

Semilogo
1 month ago

I love your insight bro

Tunmise
3 days ago
Reply to  Semilogo

Apt

Bassey Abraham
1 month ago

Apt

FANIYAN JEREMIAH SEGUN
1 month 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
1 month ago

You understood the message

Bridget
1 month ago

Beautifully written ✨♥️

I’m touched

Lordpeter
1 month ago

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

Adeyeye aderonke deborah
1 month ago

Beautiful write up💜

Jolayemi Peter Oluwaseun
1 month ago

Beautiful piece 😍😍😍😍

Elijah
1 month ago

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

It’s so beautiful

Peace Enokela
1 month 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)
1 month ago
Reply to  Peace Enokela

Thanks my love

Olamide
1 month ago

Beautiful piece ❤️

Dada comfort Adeola
1 month ago

Very nice poem
Keep it ip

Ayoola
1 month 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
1 month ago

papaoti uteng!

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

Good work tobi

Tifeh
1 month ago

Beautiful piece.

Muritala jelilat
1 month ago

This is amazing

Adesina blessing
1 month ago

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

Simon Peter
1 month ago

So interesting

Semilogo
1 month ago

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Precious
1 month ago

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

Keep it up oremi

Adekunle phebe
1 month ago

This is amazing

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

Olaleye Emmanuel Aduragbemi
1 month ago

Interesting…..

Keep it dear friend

Oluwatomiwa
1 month ago

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

Well done ma.

Oluwamayowafunmi
1 month ago

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

Big boss
1 month ago

To me love is just a transaction

Ajoke
1 month ago

This is a beautiful piece 🥹

Jerry
1 month ago

Wow, lovely

Ifeoluwa
1 month ago

Beautiful piece 😘

Pdf
3 days ago

This is 🔥🔥🔥

Write more girl

Simipeters
3 days ago

Lovely literal work

Semilore
3 days ago

Wonderful writeup,Bby gurl💖

Mobolaji
3 days ago

You’ve got a beautiful piece there.

Adebola Blessing Mercy
3 days ago

This is a well written creativity 🔥🥳, job well done 💪😘

Emma
3 days ago

This is just the reality of becoming.

More inks to your pen girl

Tunmise
3 days ago

This is great

Tunmise
3 days ago

Great work

Adesakin Fehintola
3 days ago

This is profound.

Anne
3 days ago

This is lit🔥🔥🔥🔥

Bidemi
3 days ago

Wonderful who every love you won’t be too busy for you

Akpofure Princess Eseoghene
3 days ago

Profound! 🥂

Olajide Deborah Oluwasewami
3 days ago

Nice piece

AFM
3 days ago

Wonderful piece 👏👏

Ayomide Iyanuoluwa
3 days ago

Hmmmm this is thoughtful.

Abdulrasheed Balikis Adeola
3 days ago

The piece is so touching 🥹

Godswill Uchenna Ajah
3 days ago

“…days she needed to talk about boys who stared,
girls whose gaze lingered…”

The earnest desire for an outpouring that met silence and emptiness is a vivid telling of the ache the poetis persona felt. It marked the exhaustion of hope in her even before she grew weary and alienated from the park’s silence.