To where would I run?

This poem carries the voice of a young African girl who is set to undergo female genital mutilation. Within these words lies the painful reality of a rite that has been passed down generations.

They said, “Be brave, it’s what we do-"
A rite, a pride, it makes you true.”
But all I heard was sharpened steel,
In whispers dressed as love’s virtue.

I watched the skies from my small mat,
My knees drawn in beneath the stars.
I prayed the night would swallow me,
Or carry me beyond these scars.

I knew the place, the hands, the cloth-"
The songs they sang to drown the cries.
I longed to run, to scream, to flee-"
But where do you escape a lie?

I looked at Mama’s silent face,
Her eyes a well too deep to name.
She’d walked this path when she was young-"
And now I’d bear the same.

No footsteps came to break the hush,
No arms to say, “You don’t need this.”
So I just held the cry inside,
And learned that silence bleeds like this.

Author's Note

The voice of a young girl about to face what she wished she never did.

Reviews

[Ayesha Faiz]

This is heartbreaking... you can feel the fear, the weight of tradition, and the loneliness all through it... the way it ends just stays with you, like it’s still echoing in your chest after you finish reading.
Your voice is strong so keep writing!

[Munira_lines]

Wow, thanks for your review, glad that you could feel it as much as I did when writing this piece. I appreciate you taking the time to review this piece

[Cer]

This is a really strong message, hiding the vulnerability of the young women who go through FGM. The pain, the horror, and no one to comfort you. I loved the message and how it was written about, Kudos!

[Munira_lines]

Thank you for your honest review and encouraging words. I appreciate you taking the time to review this piece