A POEM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
“ME AND MY AFRICAN SISTERS”
By
‘Tosin OLOYE-OYEWOLE, Lagos, Nigeria.
Me and my Sisters,
In confusion and in great fear,
Holding firmly to one another,
To gain warmth and enough strength,
To ward-off the onslaught of our common enemies,
The enemies threatening our unity and advancement,
Grieving my precious but simple heart.
Me and my Sisters, in despair,
Wondering and weeping and in great fear,
Crying shedding uncontrollable hot tears,
For those who are really not our enemies,
But our lovers, our partners, our confidants,
They are our comforters, our brothers,
It so grieves my dear loving heart.
Me and my Sisters, lagging behind,
Aching with years of dissipated energy are our bent backs.
Stiffened with unthankful labour are our rough hands.
In sorrow, bow our over-burdened heads and hearts,
Wondering, why not positioned in our lawful palaces?
Why denied our legal birthrights and inheritance?
All these grieve my very resilient heart.
My courageous African Sisters,
Enough! Rise up and stop your flowing tears,
Look back and remember Deborah, the Jewish Mother,
Remember the likes of the warrior Queen Amina of Zaria.
No man would dare go to war without them, remember?
Remember the brave and loyal African heroines in years past,
Grieve not their sweet memories with your tearful hearts.
Sisters, take your rightful places with calculated audacity,
Wipe your wet and aging faces so saddened,
Brush yourself, brazen up for battle against common adversary.
With all hands held up high together, glow with womanhood pride,
Lift up your battered heads, look ahead, brave and proud Sisters!
Truly, the battle is not only for today’s victory acquired,
But for lasting sweet and joyful memories in our daughters’ hearts.
‘Tosin Oloye-Oyewole.
(tosinoloyeoyewole@gmail.com)
