Poem: “Obutun’s Plea” by Òjó Adésojí Rufus

Obutun's Plea

In wedded bliss, a longing heart,
Obutun yearns for a brand new start,
A fruit of the womb, a precious find,
To complete the union, and seal the bind.

One plus one equals one, a love so true,
But Obutun needs more, to make her heart anew,
Two or three more, to make the marriage grow,
And fill the home with laughter, and a family's glow.

But alas, pregnancy's elusive charm,
Delays childbirth's joy, and disarms,
Obutun's heart, with tears of sorrow and pain,
"Why?" she cries, "Oh, why oh why, must I remain?"

In anguish, she implores, with a mother's loving heart,
"Oh, children, come to my world, and never depart,
I'll buy you sweet treats, and plant a sherry tree to play in its shade,
And when I'm gone, you'll carry on, our family's name and way."

With twenty slaves, or thirty servants too,
Obutun knows, that children are the greatest gift anew,
To uphold her husband's name, and hers, when they're gone,
And keep their memory alive, like a sweet, sweet song.

So let Obutun's plea, be heard, and answered too,
And let her heart, be filled with joy, and a family anew.

- Òjó Adésojí Rufus

About the Poet

Òjó Adésojí Rufus is a motivational speaker, career counselor, educator, and author with a deep passion for literature. His works span multiple genres, including prose (The Banshee of Hikare, forthcoming), poetry (We Are All Victims and Other Poems, upcoming), and drama (The Mortified and Treacherous Mother). A seasoned teacher of English and Literature-in-English, Òjó draws from his wealth of experience to inspire and educate through both words and deeds.

About the Poem

“Obutun’s Plea” is a poem that centers on Obutun, a woman deeply in love with her husband and enjoying marital bliss. However, despite their love, her heart aches for the blessing of children to complete their union. She views children as a vital part of marriage, not just for personal joy but also for the growth and fulfillment of their home. To her, children represent the laughter, warmth, and legacy that can sustain a family.

The poem reveals Obutun’s despair as pregnancy eludes her, leaving her with feelings of sorrow and incompleteness. She questions her fate, asking why she must endure this void. Her yearning is heartfelt and emotional, as she longs for the arrival of children who would bring happiness to her life and solidify her family.

Obutun’s plea is filled with promises of love and care. She imagines showering her children with treats and planting a sherry tree for them to play under. This imagery reflects her nurturing spirit and the life she dreams of giving them. She sees children not just as sources of joy but also as carriers of the family’s legacy, ensuring that her name and her husband’s name live on after they are gone.

“Obutun’s Plea” emphasises the cultural significance of children in Obutun’s society. Even with material wealth, symbolised by the mention of slaves and servants, Obutun considers children the greatest treasure. The poem reflects traditional African values that place significant importance on children as a cornerstone of marriage and family. The societal expectation for women to bear children is evident in Obutun’s anguish, as she feels incomplete without fulfilling this role.

In her heartfelt appeal, Obutun expresses her hope that her prayers will be answered and her heart filled with the joy of motherhood. Her plea encapsulates the deep emotional and societal longing for children and the sense of fulfillment they bring to a marriage. The poem concludes with a tone of hope, suggesting that her earnest plea may one day be answered, bringing renewal and completeness to her life.

Related:

• Poem: “Ògbólôgbó Àjàò” by Òjó Adésojí Rufus

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