cry, my sisters for you i cry

My sisters bleed to death in the name of being circumcised,

The blade mutilates them unsterilized,

Still in the dark we are, uncivilized,

How it hurts my conscience when I describe,

Cry,

My sisters for you, I cry

 

Your hand in marriage with a groom the age of father,

So young you are pushed into wedlock and further,

And yet against your will, so naïve you never bother,

What could you do but wave goodbye to this brother,

And set out into motherhoods violent waters,

Cry,

My sisters for you, I cry

 

Under the scorching sun you fetch firewood,

In the heavy rain you set out to cook,

In the blistering cold you get water from the stream,

The sound from the motar and pestle makes me want to scream,

Cry,

My sisters for you, I cry

 

Pregnant you walk miles to get to the dispensary,

Which is as silent as a kindergarten on a Sunday,

Forfeit your dowry for medication,

Lucky you, you are going to give birth via operation,

For the lucky ones go back and give back in the most cruel, yet painfully inhumane ways,

Cry,

My sisters for you, I cry

 

Suffer from VVF,

Even worse, you are now HIV positive,

Tears flood my eyes and the innermost recess of my being,

Everyday to the heavens I,

Cry,

My sisters for you, I cry

 

Reviews

[OT]

Such a strong emotional poem, very endearing and heart-felt!

[Barbara Walker]

This is such a heart wrenching poem. I just can't imagine what a life like that....maybe with brother's like you crying out, changes can be made...thanks for sharing. Barbara

[Valentine]

In Afriuca and other parts of the world women and sometimes men are treated so brutally..I read this poem and wish every African American would think..am I better off by being here in the US or would I have been better off having been left in Africa...seeing what Africa is going through now..I think that shold make some people appreciate being here more..God bless..Valentine

[Colette]

I cry too, I most definitely do. I love it when a piece of artwork--be it a painting or poem--can educate, inform, and make an impact. You've accomplished this here.

[Jane Doe]

Wow, I am stunned by the power of this piece. I love the repitition you used and how the poem progressed, it flowed very well. Great job!

[Poeticpiers]

A heart rending recognition of continuing barbaric rituals allegedly for religious purposes.. not so merely custom and practice handed down through generations.
Well presented in poeticprose Ivor