Mommy I’m pregnant
And I know you may be angry
But before you hit me
Or start to judge me
Take a minute and listen
Pay attention to me.
Mommy, you never taught me about sex
Or how to deal with the advances of the opposite sex
Never said a word about condoms.
I don’t even know the meaning of contraception
Far less for conception.
Mommy, the boys on the block made me feel good,
Saying things that you and dad never would.
Spoke to me in ways that I had never heard:
Told me I was beautiful, told me I was nice
Mommy, they complimented my sense of style.
Why didn’t you do it too mommy?
Why, oh why?
And now I am with child.
This foetus grows in my belly
The thought of teenage pregnancy overwhelms me,
But I promise my baby to do better
To talk to her, to love her.
I won’t neglect her like you did me,
I hope you also pass my message to daddy.
Times when I wanted his love and attention,
Instead he spent hours watching the television
All I wanted was an occasional hug and kiss,
To live in a house full of blessings and bliss.
You taught me to talk but never talked to me,
You taught me to walk but never walked with me.
I still want to say I’m sorry,
Sorry for this teenage pregnancy.
But now, I want you to talk to my little sister,
Because she’s growing up even faster.
She’s already getting the attention of the boys;
Mommy, don’t let her fall for their silly ploys.
She’s wearing seductive clothes, putting on so much make up,
She’s so busy to grow up.
I hope she isn’t as naïve as me,
Boys will definitely take advantage,
Because she looks a lot older than her age.
Mommy, talk to her please!
Don’t let her make the same mistake as I did
Speak to her about the birds and the bees.
It’s too late for me now,
But save her mommy, save her some how,
Mommy, please act quick
She’s already talking about *** and ***.
Mommy, before I leave
Know that from now on I will do better
And though I may have lost your honour
I hope it passes to my son or daughter.
Mommy although you had some part to play
I don’t blame you for this, no way!
I will tell my child how you loved me,
And how you showered blessings upon me.
There will be no resentment in my family
Not the type I got from you and daddy.
Motherhood awaits me and although I’m unprepared,
You’ve shown me what not to do.
So mommy, with a heavy heart, I say Thank You…
– Delroy Williams
wow this is so sad but true
this poem was very good i agreed with everything she said,and she realized the responsibles she has to take
What are the literary devices used in this poem
I love this poem, it is high time parents educate their daughters/son. Spend more time with the children, establish values for them. Too many times parents spend countless times with there friends than their children. Some parents are too quick to gossip and don’t look after their little girls, but they prefer to mind their neighbors business or another person on the street. Think logically most times you all should be blame for the children conducts. Concentrate on the things that concern you, know your children friends because: REPUTATION COMES FROM THE COMPANIES YOU KEEP. The world is full of temptation and bad influences . Some children may say; my friends are having sex why can’t I try it, but if you and that child have an intimacy she will come to you and say mummy do you think I should get involved in sexual activities? It is wise for parents to speak to their children don’t bow your head in shame when the child do wrong. You could have prevented it. Be wise,open up your eyes. sometimes the children are scared to have open discussion with you based on the way you all act, always vex, and don’t want to listen to nothing they have to say. Girls will try to seek attension somewhere else be it by friends or a older person which may lead to other things….. Parents spend more times with kids!
The poem reflects the thoughtfulness of the writer. It’s a poem not a thesis yet still raises some important factors regarding some of the causes of teen pregnancy including neglect, sexuality and sexual relations as taboo subjects, which are not discussed families, and physically present but emotionally absent fathers. This is a parenting lesson and a catalyst for conversation. Keep writing Delroy.
Awww! So sad but so true. i love this poem with a passion. Parents take heed the daughters are crying inside.
love it!!too many of our parents are not talking to their kids about sex, leaving them to learn about sex—-the wrong way, which results in high teenage pregnancy rates. The poem is great!!
well said . talk to the kids about the birds and bees and start early
I JUST LOVE THIS POEM.
My fellow Dominicans, please re- read the poem and understand where the writter is coming from. He is not blaming the parents for for each pregnancy. However this poem is encouraging parents to talk to your children and do not depend on others to do this for you. It does not mean that your children will always do the right things but it is our responsibility to sit down and talk openly to our children. Growing up in Dominica, my birds and the bees talk was done through cursing. Fortunatley, I did not want to dissapoint myself and my Mother who was the main one there for me. Also what motivated me was when I saw how hard my mother worked to support me and I certainly was embarraced by my fathers lifestyle and did not want to be like him. Today, God has blessed me with two beautiful children and I talk to my Son and daughter openly. No fancy names and the plain truth about the birds and the bees. Young women it is better to abstain until you are ready. However if you feel you cannot wait then wrap it up.
The poet/poem does blame the parent especially the mom …yes the later part goes on to say “Mommy although you had some part to play, I don’t blame you for this, no way! but what’s all this:
1). Mommy, you never taught me about sex Or how to deal with the advances of the opposite sex
Never said a word about condoms. That’s blame
2). Mommy, they complimented my sense of style.Why didn’t you do it too mommy?Why, oh why?
And now I am with child. That’s blame
3). I won’t neglect her like you did me,I hope you also pass my message to daddy. Blame
4). All of paragraph 5…even more blame
It’s a good poem don’t get me wrong however I just don’t like certain lines,like ‘Mommy, the boys on the block made me feel good,Saying things that you and dad never would.Spoke to me in ways that I had never heard: You serious…what you doing on de block…don’t you have school work to do and what the boys on de block tell you your parents should never repeat to you…because is pure old chat to get in your panties they will be throwing at you…so we could look at this thing both ways ok..it’s good to discuss issues like this…maybe some young girl who can relate to this poem will see some sense before she ends up in deep waters.
First thing your interpreting this wrong.
Stop asking dumb questions like What is she doing on the block…..She could be going to the shop or heading home from school she could be in her own yard for god sake and they be passing by giving her compliments and if u dare ask why she is in her own yard…… And yes parents should tell there kids what the boys are saying on the block because maybe then the words wont make them feel as if the boys on the block actually mean it maybe then their self esteem will be high enough so the will be able to keep their heads up and be able to look at the boys on the block and tell them “Yes! I know I’m very pretty”
Why are so many of the comments pointing fingers at who is to be blamed (parents or child)… the writer clearly states in one of the lines that he isnt blaming the parents… and that the child has some responsibility.
I would applaud the young man for writing this poem and especially from a young girls perspective too. I think it is a beautiful piece of social commentary and i expect similar work from Delroy in the future. I wonder how many people know that he is the President of the National Youth Council of Dominica.
Maybe this is his way of raising awareness instead of using the normal media channels of press releases and the radio talkshows that are so full of negativity. Some of the respondants just proved that there is negativity here too.
Good work Delroy, looking forward to hearing you read this, i know you do some spoken word poetry as well.
DC
wat poem real!!! delroy u good man lol
hhhhmmmm well this poem is reality but n a big ‘but’ to eh,,,,,,there is to many info out dere for excuses,,,,young girls stop being so naive n easy,,,,wats wrong with blushing n playing tight,,,,real men like me like a lil fight,,,,,,i remember a girl called my cell,,,we had a convo,,,n u know MOTS have lyrics for dem gal,,,,,,ay ay next night i getting picture message with woman naked wii,,,,,my heart melt eh no lie,,,,cause i checking girl u too fast,,,,u send negative thoughts to my head rite dere,,,,,,have me thinking whether u r so promiscuous with other guys etc etc,,,n u know the S.T.D’s floating out dere,,,,,,,,children under 16 should not be dressed in no promiscuous fashion,,,so parents are at fault here,,,,and no child under 16 should be on facebook,,,,period!!!!!!! who vex lost,,,,,,parents love ur children but lets be honest,,,,when parents or worse yet single poor malawey mothers spend all their hard earned money to send u to school to be better than them,,,,this is what it comes to,,,,,that in no way can be easy for the parents,,,,,,lil girls stop following allu friends,,,,n thinking all that stuff allu see in movies is kool,,,,,,i seeing girls 14 n 15 yrs have on dere f.b page updates “in a relationship”,,,,all i can do is shake my heads n pray 4 my sisters,,,,,now as older brothers allu have a responsibility,,,,allu fraid frenz say allu marco,,,,,shame on allu,,,,n e man i see talking or watching my underaged sister in no way i confronting u,,,,,,no shame in that isssshhhhh,,,i did it b4 i’ll do it again,,,,,cause the shame is like rain,,,it falls on all
MOTS I agree fully with what you said! Some of us young girls not easy ehh!!
Well done Mr. Williams….If you’re able, would you please pen a similar one, written from the teenage boy’s perspective? Thanks.
I can clearly see from the writer’s perspective, i.e. areas WE parents can focus on to assist us with raising our teen girls….for all you know, Mr. Williams could have written the poem based on discussion with youths, since he is actively involved in youth work.
Taking the poem in it’s entirety, I fail to conclude that the writer’s message is to blame parents. In fact, I understand the last paragraph to mean that the teen girl (first person singular/writer’s voice) praises her mother for bestowing love/blessing on her, though she feels that the communication aspect of their relationship could be have been better. It is this vein, that the teen girl accepts responsibility for making the ultimate decision to engage in sex etc. The reality of life is that when kids do good/bad WE parents have some praise/blame to take….so I see where the teen girl is coming from.
@MOTS: I would shake your big toe. My daughter is in 3rd form & I still have not given her permission to have a FB account (mind you she could open one under a fake name w/o my knowledge or consent, so I say to the best of my knowledge).
@Stupes: you gotta be kidding me. On the block does not mean that a teen girl sits on the block….boys congregate every & anywhere and cast remarks/throw talk as girls pass – this has was happening even during my days as a young girl and I am a child of the 70s!…..from my personal experience (my parents were strict), fellas try de chatting-up thingy even more on hard-2-get girls/ those that come from “good homes” as if to defy the girls’ parents/break down dere defenses!
It is rather interesitng that a young man wrote this poem.. We should all take note.
i had the same thoughts too lol!!!!
LOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!! Parents need to read dis…….. rite dere
Listen I know this is a poem. However I’m so fedup of people blaming parents when these young fast girls go look for man and end up pregnant. Talking about mommy never told me about birds and bees or contraception or never show me love. So because some strange idiot on de road tell you your bottom looking nice in your jeans you have to take out your clothes for him and how am I to compare having sex to a kiss and hug from my parents. I’m a young girl and the way I see it you can educate a young person as much as you like but their curiousity if you want to call it that will cause them to overlook all the advice that have been given to them and do all kinds of crap with their bodies.My mom never told me about sex, when I started on my period all she said was dont let boys touch you because you will have a baby, end of story, I laughed I was 13, my best friend who told me everything I know about sex was well schooled by her mom and aunts and still at 11 went on to have sex with some young boy. I didn’t have sex until I was 18…yes I had a boyfriend at 16 and yes I wanted to, but I had decided kissing was as far as I would go, I didn’t feel like at such a young age I should be opening my leg for no man, no matter how beautiful they told me I am. My point is that it was my choice to not have sex b4 18, just as it was my friend choice to have sex at 11, although she knew everything about sex, so don’t blame the parents people. God gave us all free will to choose right from wrong and as adults we still choose to do wrong, so it’s our human nature, some of us have more morals, will power whatever you want to call it! My opinion.
TOTALLY AGREE
DON’T BLAME THE PARENTS
THE MAN ASK YOU TO HAVE SEX. YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES. YOU TELL HIM NO.
IF YOU ARE NOT DUMB, YOU WILL NOT FALL FOR THE “IF YOU LOVE ME” TRICK.
NOW YOU YOURSELF HAVE YOUR SEXUAL URGES. IF YOU CAN’T CONTROL YOU SEXUAL APPETITE, HOW IS IT THE FAULT OF YOUR PARENTS.
99% OF THE TIMES PARENTS TALK AND GIVE WARNINGS. BUT BEING THE TEENAGERS THAT WE ARE, WE THINK EVERYBODY ELSE IS WRONG AND WE ARE RIGHT…ALWAYS.
SO PLEASE! YOU THE GIFT OF REASON THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU AND STOP BLAMMNG THE PARENTS
GOD BLESS
you say d first time u had sex was 18 and you fren at 11.. but were u married at 18??No!.i guess.and dats fornication which is a sin.. so it makes no difference between you and your fren
Who’s taking about fornication and sin nah, we talking about choices and yes I was married so ask a question first, but that’s not the point here. Some people you have to spell things out for them.
The point was that even when we are educated we still make the wrong choices so at times when people blame parents for not educating their kids about sex it’s not on the parent. Ultimately the individual makes the choice to do or not to do with no one to blame but themselves. Got it typical Dominican.
Very beautiful poem. In this day and age, however, there is too much information out there and sadly too many living proof examples of teenage pregnancy to remain ignorant about sex and its consequences. I was the result of an unplanned/unprotected incident of sexual intercourse so I am not judging anyone. But we cannot depend on parents 100%. After all, it takes a village to raise a child. Our young men AND women need to open up their pretty little eyes to see that there is a far bigger (but not necessarily better) world out there outside the boundaries of our beautiful island where opportunities await if only we are disciplined and hard working enough to DREAM BIG. Still, at the end of the day an unwanted pregnancy DOES NOT and SHOULD not be an unloved pregnancy so go on young girls and boys and take something from this poem!
wowwwww….. i love the poem
Beautiful
I love this poem. I felt that way to when I got pregnant.
same here