PROSTITUTE'S SON

Wrote for the contest Poetry Form of Albert

PROSTITUTE’S SON

Same shame I felt

When they asked me

Who is my father.

Same ignominy gripped me

When they asked me

Why my mother works in the night

Same disgrace shattered me

When they asked me

Why my mother is not coming to see me.

I knew who is a prostitute

But my classmates knew a prostitute is bad

I knew my mother is good

But lessons said a prostitute is bad

I knew I have no escape

But, my restless soul is searching for a way out

I am not a prostitute.

But money I pay is that of a prostitute

Money I pay is that of men who pay a prostitute

My mess fee is that of a prostitute

My boarding fee is that of a prostitute

My tuition fee is that of a prostitute.

My body is made of a prostitute’s.

It is still eating a prostitute’s food

I want to vomit what I eat

Which school can teach me

To escape from this cage

Into which I am born,to pay for a sin,not mine.

Reviews

[RDOriginal]

In this poem you've done an excellent job of taking a taboo subject and spreading an awareness to the reader.

Sometimes prostitution is seen as a victimless crime but here you remind us that the prostitute may have a family and they too live under the same shadow. You really drive the message home when you list all of the educational bills that are paid for with this money, 'my mess fee is that of a prostitute my boarding fee is that of a prostitute my tuition fee is that of a prostitute'. These are all such positive things but subsidised in such a negative way. It really breaks the stereotype that some assume a prostitutes earnings are spent on drugs or alcohol.

The main emotional feature that stands out for me in this poem is one of the tremendous guilt the child feels. Everything in her life is paid for with what she sees as immoral earnings but that is only half the story. When the narrator confides, 'my body is made of a prostitutes' as a reader we learn that the work of the mother has uttery tainted the child. This is confirmed with the acknowledgement that life is seen as a 'cage' which no lesson can provide an escape from.

Technically I like the way you've stuck with the use of the word 'prostitute' rather than rely on euphemisms. The word has a certain stigma and it's regular occurrence in the poem prevents the reader from maybe shying away from the reality.

I really like the informative nature of this poem and the fact that you've not voiced your own opinion here. Rather it's left to the reader to decide based entirely on the story and their feeling for the narrator.

[Taylor H.]

THis was really good. There were a few times when the flow died but this was a really good poem. Great job!

[Tracie D'Angelo]

Ooooo, I like this and agree with the other reviews, very powerful indeed. I guess we never think of the legacy we unconsciously give our children merely through conception. This is a great piece that really focuses on that idea. How does one deal with something that they did not ask for or can not change? Very good writing!

[the_stoic]

i am glad to finally read a write of your's without any error :) ... as always you take up subjects that are somehow too stigmatic for others to talk about it ! rightfully brought out the anguish and the dilemma that such a child would find himself/herself in ..

[Fallacy Pharmacy]

Like everyone else had said, this is a very powerful poem. Shows how much the boy detests of his mother profession... Brilliant work!

[Martina]

Very powerful, I could actually feel the emotions, it made me sad and angish myself. Good work ^^

[Huggy Bear]

Powerful piece:)

[Miss Coral]

Powerful lines, but I didn't really feel a flow.. they all seem isolated to me. I would also consider broadening your word choice a little bit. Otherwise, this was a good job. It was aggressively written, and brought understanding for the situation.

[Coyote Poetry]

The poem is as powerful and strong as the first time. Sometime the world opinion can destroy a family. I like the conflict in the words. That will lead to a bad ending till the prostitute son grow up and understands. A powerful poem on a difficult subject.
Coyote

[Dinesh Sairam]

Very strong lines. Clearly shows the desperation and angst of the son. I loved especially the lines "I knew who is a prostitute, But my classmates knew a prostitute is bad" and "I knew my mother is good, But lessons said a prostitute is bad" :) But 7th and 8th Stanzas just didn't fit in :) Nice write.

Kudos.

[Dream Weaver]

One should not blame ones self for the
misguided actions of another. it's up to
that person to wipe the slate clean and
become stronger and wiser in the ways
of the world. Excellent write Jeny......