After reposting, a couple of my poem yesterday from Child Abuse Awareness Month 2012. I thought I would tidy up and repost this one about female genital mutilation( FGM ). This poem broke heart to research and write. It broke my heart again today. Some girls are as younger than the Grace in my poem
Such a pretty girl, such a lovely face. You cannot believe what they planned for little Grace.
She has dressed up for the party, she is twelve today the house is full of women they are all Aunties, that’s what mama says.
She can’t remember detail, her screams that made her mother pale. She does remember blood OH! it was everywhere. She remembers the cobwebs on the ceiling at which she had to stare.
The pain is still so awful she can’t get out of bed. So much blood but none of it is as bad as the thoughts within her head. So tired and in need of sleep but the pain is so intense that she cannot find rest. The pain does not relent.
They told her she was clean now , and fit to be a bride. They said she was a woman and she should be filled with pride.
Poor Grace could feel no pride, all she felt was pain from the stitches and the feeling that she would die if they touched her again. She feared growing up and having to marry a man they told her they’d have to cut the stitches then. She could not bear that thought..I do not think anyone can.
This poem is about female circumcision or female genital mutilation( FGM ) as it is commonly known. I could not write this poem last week but I did post a link to information on this abuse. But I felt I must be strong as I must bring this abuse of young girls to your attention. So there it is a poem for Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Female, wife, full time mother and Grandmother. I am not as happy go lucky as I used to be but I am still bubbling along on simmer! I have three handsome sons all grown and flown.The youngest married with a beautiful wife and two sons of his own. Back in 2010 I was working, running a home, driving and socializing then bang in a split second all that was gone. I had an accident at home. I broke my back, not for the first time, I had broken it 10 years previously as well. Unfortunately this time I had broken it really badly and it was truly messed up so I had to have two operations. I was told before each operation that the outcome could mean I spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Still as some guy once wrote "I am still standing " yes "better than I ever was " I no longer use the walking stick . I had lots of friends before the accident but when things like this happen, you loose most of them. Their lives move on and mine stood still and so they left me behind ...I know that is just the way life is but it hurt and always will. Then I looked around and saw those who were still there for me, these friends are the roses in my garden they need to be tended well. They are the diamonds in the dust. I will of been married 53yrs this comming year. I have found different ways to approach life, use my pain befriend it almost...yer right , well that is what they tell me at the pain clinic ROFLMAO ...... if only I could! I have found an outlet for my fears, frustrations and night terrors . I have started writing poetry if that name can be applied to my writing. I hope I do not come over as a moaning winger. I hope I am past all that. I also hope that you might see how the poetry is moving from very dark through the grey and hopefully in to light.
My back is no longer straight it is C shaped because of the injury and I have lost two and a half inches in height but my Pilates and Core teachers have helped me to stand up as straight and be as strong as possible. Pain and depression are still hanging on my arm but I have weapons to use against them and if I say so myself I cope well.
I have made lots of new friends, real diamonds. I am also very grateful for all the support and help I have encountered here on Wordpress. Hugs and welcome to everyone who visits.
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31 thoughts on “Grace’s Birthday.”
It’s a prevalent custom in many African countries. Barbaric I think.
It’s disturbing that Egypt has the highest rate of medicalized FGM and is more common in the higher income groups. There is a general belief that it is mainly Muslims who practice FGM but most Jurists have banned it whilst some still leave it up to the individual parents discretion, totally barbaric
For someone who’s 4ft 10inches I have a loud voice!!!!! 💜💜💜
Four inches shorter than me! I’ll have to shout louder 🙂
If we shout together perhaps 💜💜💜
They only got rid of the blasphemy laws in Scotland this year! Incredible.
We live in unstable times 😲
Explosive!
We do 💜💜
This is harrowing. That such customs still exist… we have to have regular safeguarding training at school and this is a big one we have to learn about, so.we can attempt to spot signs of a girl.who may be being prepped for FGM or may have come back to school after it…
It’s just awful to contemplate… 💔😢
It’s is unbelievable that mothers who have gone through this can bare to subject their children to it? It’s not for the woman’s benefit it’s all about the men! …So glad to hear schools are aware of all this. 💜💜
I written about FGM, a disgusting and extremely life altering experience for the woman. I still happens today, how can anyone be brainwashed to believe this is a practice that enhances a women’s life? 🙂
Tony Mwebia at the Men End FGM Foundation are fighting it, as is Sahiyo where I am a volunteer. Thank you for your poem, and for highlighting the terrible impact of FGM.
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willowdot21 
It’s a prevalent custom in many African countries. Barbaric I think.
I can’t believe it’s allowed to go on 💜💜
It should not be
No it really shouldn’t! 💜
It’s disturbing that Egypt has the highest rate of medicalized FGM and is more common in the higher income groups. There is a general belief that it is mainly Muslims who practice FGM but most Jurists have banned it whilst some still leave it up to the individual parents discretion, totally barbaric
I totally agree truly Barbaric 💜
Girls shouldn’t go through this, it is horrible.
No never never !
One of those quaint local customs I’ve no doubt some inclusive group will be campaigning to protect 😦
Yes indeed but I won’t keep quiet! 💜💜
Good for you!
For someone who’s 4ft 10inches I have a loud voice!!!!! 💜💜💜
Four inches shorter than me! I’ll have to shout louder 🙂
If we shout together perhaps 💜💜💜
They only got rid of the blasphemy laws in Scotland this year! Incredible.
We live in unstable times 😲
Explosive!
We do 💜💜
This is harrowing. That such customs still exist… we have to have regular safeguarding training at school and this is a big one we have to learn about, so.we can attempt to spot signs of a girl.who may be being prepped for FGM or may have come back to school after it…
It’s just awful to contemplate… 💔😢
It’s is unbelievable that mothers who have gone through this can bare to subject their children to it? It’s not for the woman’s benefit it’s all about the men! …So glad to hear schools are aware of all this. 💜💜
I written about FGM, a disgusting and extremely life altering experience for the woman. I still happens today, how can anyone be brainwashed to believe this is a practice that enhances a women’s life? 🙂
It’s beyond me …thank Goodness young women today are beginning to see the light. .💜
It’s barbaric
It is 💜
A completely barbaric practice. It make me ill thinking about it.
Yes indeed Robbie I agree
This ‘tradition’ is one I just don’t get. I’ve read the history, but when every young girl is tortured… 😥
It’s unbelievable isn’t it 💜
Yes!
Tony Mwebia at the Men End FGM Foundation are fighting it, as is Sahiyo where I am a volunteer. Thank you for your poem, and for highlighting the terrible impact of FGM.
I just do my best to keep these awful customs (abuses) in the public eye. Thank you for your important work 💜