Soft is not my middle name But I know to respect traditions Of my ancestors. Being on my knees for the elders Is my tradition not weakness. I will not look you in the eye If you wish to speak to me And that is respect not disrespect As you suspect. I am prideful Relentless…… Continue reading African woman
Her hands… Gently folded to say a prayer Quickly fixed for you Stitches they made Bread they made The ground they cultivated Tears they wiped The unsung hands of a mother! Those hands guided Those hands cared Those hands held They did… The unsung hands of a mother! A little harder they tried A little…… Continue reading Hands unsung!
Hunting was never for him.. He was not about to become the hunted! Wrestling would never be a way to socialize.. He had no wish to get bruised! That local brew made him dizzy just at the sight of it.. He had no intentions of passing out! Tinka actually smiles.. He believes it only human!…… Continue reading Tinka; the village coward!
Looking them in the eye; they say is disrespect! Talking while standing should definitely never happen Adultery will get us banished Adultery will get them praises! Never talk while they are talking; so they say… To speak up is to become a man! To be firm is to disrespect Taboo to marry from that tribe…… Continue reading Taboos for us!
13 was the age I became “a woman”.. Uncle said those words….. Papa said those words….. Grandpa whispered them too! At 13 auntie suggested we visit “the” place The place to prepare me; the prey! Auntie said I was ready then… Mama said I was ready too… Grandma agrees too.. To the market their preying…… Continue reading The prey!
Grandma told me to live.. Grandma told me to love.. Grandma told me to listen.. Grandma told me to learn.. Grandma told me to forgive… She said..”child, keep breathing” She said..”child, keep laughing” She said..”child, learn to rest” She said..”child, don’t chase the wind” She said..”child, life is a gift given once. Live it!” She…… Continue reading Grandma’s words..
On her knees she is groomed to stay.. On her knees; her only measure of obedience is found.. On her knees, she must serve them.. On her knees; her place during supper.. On her knees, she must greet them.. On her knees, she is expected to beg for oil.. On her knees, she begs for…… Continue reading On her knees..
Papa says I look just like mama .. I am Mama’s image when friends see me.. Grandma says I remind her of mama.. Grandpa says my courage is just like mama’s.. Auntie thinks of me as her friend; just like she did with mama.. Uncle Musa sees mama in the way I talk.. Like mama,…… Continue reading Like mama..
Father says we Marry for tradition.. Grandma says she married for tradition.. Auntie says she married for tradition.. Grandpa says we must marry for tradition.. Suzanna has to marry.. Her heart is with him.. Her hand in marriage is given to another for tradition.. Her heart is bleeding! Her tradition she must follow.. Her heart…… Continue reading Her heart:Her tradition
The mud house over that hill raised us.. We cried and laughed .. We dreamed there.. We played and fought.. We walked and ran.. We hoped each day.. We held on and let go at times.. We lived even when we lost.. We bloomed in our own way.. We went places and came back again;for…… Continue reading Over that hill!
