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This poem was inspired by the International Day of the Girl Child which was on 11th October. (As usual, I’m late 🙂 It is based on the Haiku Heights Weekly prompt Shroud
Shroud of Nakedness
Cloth me In a shroudOf nakedness Where my poverty Will be glaring Offer my body As a fitting dish To be savoured By the gods Brutish beasts Who make The rules Fetters of tradition For in tradition I was conceived Born under An omen A prophesy Of ignorance That allowed culture To dictate My marital vows Instead of My dream boy Lean and hard I pledge My virginity To he Who ransomed The cocoa farm. I am bound By chains Hunger My best friend My appetite raw And dead For the plunder Of my body White calico linen Turning crimson With the blood And tears Of my girlhood They say I will soon give him Children Then my sorrows Will be over For their cries and laughter Will bring much-needed Joy to my heart. But my god must be asleep For I waste away As my soul dies And with it My fertility The plunders become Frenzied attacks Rape he calls His rights In a raving effort To make me Make him A rich man. A man’s wealth is his children Alas Does he not know That I am his child also How can a child Become the mother Of the child? With a child’s longing I yearn to be free To be a child. Copyright © Celestine Nudanu (15/10/12) ==============================================================
I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom 🙂
Susan L Daniels said:
But my god must be asleep
For I waste away
As my soul dies
And with it
My fertility
Celestine, wow. Simply wow. Heartbreaking.
readinpleasure said:
Thanks you, Susan. 🙂
lenwilliamscarver said:
Best I’ve ever read from you, this truly shows how talented you are! The subject matter of this though makes me ill, I know this happens and it is a fact of life in some countries just wish it wasn’t so.
readinpleasure said:
Ow, Len. :Thank you for your lovely comments and support always. 🙂 Indeed, so long as poverty exists child marriage will always be with us. Education is the key.
Lucid Gypsy said:
Oh now that is you at full strength, very well done Celestine!
readinpleasure said:
Thank you for the kind words. 🙂
Stefan (maxima) said:
I really like it.
readinpleasure said:
Thank you, Stefan. Glad you like it.
Green Speck said:
I just loved this … full of power and emotions … hats off to you !!!
readinpleasure said:
Ow, thank you, Green Speck. 🙂 I appreciate your compliment.
boomiebol said:
This has gotta be an epic read for me… Well done Cestone, well done! I really like this one
readinpleasure said:
Thank you Boomie 🙂
brudberg said:
WOW!! Tears in my eyes – this is so good.
readinpleasure said:
Glad this humble offering has such an effect on you. 🙂
Shantelle Latreese said:
Thank you Celestine…
readinpleasure said:
You’re welcome, Shantelle. 🙂
RoSy said:
Love this write. But – don’t like at all that this reality exists.
readinpleasure said:
It’s a sad fact Rosy. 🙂
Bruce Ruston said:
I will go with Susan here very strongly written with passion
readinpleasure said:
Ow, thanks a million, Bruce for your wonderful support. 🙂
Uzoma said:
My! Though the patterns differ, you depict stories like Kwesi Brew, one of my favorite poets from Ghana. In your poem, carefully observed details (quite sad) are brought together as a story! The lines with a word alone serve as a powerful tool. You’ve used them wisely. Keep up the good work, sis.
readinpleasure said:
Ow, thanks you so much, Uzoma, for your wonderful compliment. I do appreicate your coming by. 🙂
StacyMichelle said:
powerful
readinpleasure said:
Thanks a mil, Stacy. 🙂
Sharmishtha Basu said:
a cruel, nightmarish reality for so many girls all across the world since heaven only knows when, but when will it stop?
readinpleasure said:
Sharmishtha, sometimes, I despair, though I believe that education can be the key. Thanks, as usual.
eof737 said:
Brilliant! I love your poem and it covers all the key issues on the subject. Kudos! 🙂
readinpleasure said:
Thanks a mil, Elizabeth. 🙂