Labour of Love

I am wide awake
I am in pains
I am having headache and belly-ache
And there is a burning sensation in my loins.
But he is fast asleep with his back at me.
If only he could turn around and see.

If only you can see what I am going through
The agony of my love for you.
But even if you can see me in agony
You cannot feel the pains of my labour
Only a mother knows the dolour
Imagine eating grits with sand in the hominy.
The restless days and sleepless nights of travail.
When all your heavy words of comfort seem to fail
Because only a mother knows the throes of parturition.

No man can know my labour of love.