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Words in a poem, in reaction to the abducted Chibok girls; there are many more such stories around the world. It is dedicated to women and girls suffering from similar or same circumstances. At the same time, I am compelled to add to this, words from Amina Mama delivered in a speech at the AU’s 50th anniversary: "Let us make it clear to the world that violence and tolerance of violence are not endemic, not an “African tradition”, nor simply what black men do to women. Rather they are the results of systemic injustices."

Our Women:

The shattered you
a mosaic of my mother
and other mothers too,
I stand with you.

Wrapped in a black chador
Head bent on clean sheets
A mother
Bellows,
For weeks
The only stain
Her raining tears
From weeks,
Rags around her belly
Clasping the rising bile
She bears her loss
Asking the spirits
And the Gods
Pleading:
Resurrect me and mine
Resurrect me and mine
Resurrect me and mine

“Why mine?”

Our Girls:

Mercy doesn’t have a hand
On snatching
Laughters of friends
Bright eyed dreams
Wings for flight,
Mercy me, Mercy us
Sinful hearts
Deceived innocence
Rights to flight
Promises of earth
Cradles of charms, dreams,
Mercy me, Mercy us
Victims of political ploy
Muffled screams
Children weep
On the hands of baleful men
Throttling on their fears
They weep

What’s going on?

©afro’disiatic / amira ali