two poems by Chestlyn Draghoender

My mother used to tell me
that I am beautiful.
But she’s my mother,
she has to say that…

She
Taught me
To appreciate the
Content of my make-up.
It’s where my foundation lies.

Even in a world where
‘Beauty’ is depicted
as having green eyes or silky hair.
I will not be afflicted.

As long as it don’t affect me,
Reject me, or expect me
To suffocate in my own skin.

Because,
I am beautiful.
It’s what my mother used to say.

I hate flies.
Flies are a nuisance.
So I get frustrated;
which is the beginning
of anger.

So I asked God one day:
“Why is he here?
The Lord of the Flies,
Right here on earth?”

Then God replied:
“If he wasn’t here,
you would never have come
to me.”

We cannot do right
without the option
of doing wrong.

Chestlyn Draghoender is a young poet from Ravensmead, in Cape Town. He loves his local library and good music.