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 details, 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.
After reposting, my poem on Child brides 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 .
Jul 07, 2018 @ 11:17:06
Chilling
Jul 07, 2018 @ 10:22:10
All the more so because it still goes on. 🌹
Jul 07, 2018 @ 12:39:47
Yes and so important to keep this in the public’s eye and mind –
Jul 07, 2018 @ 13:24:21
It is indeed 💜
Jul 07, 2018 @ 11:52:32
This is just so sad ..
Jul 07, 2018 @ 09:58:10
It is but it also needs addressing 💜
Jul 07, 2018 @ 12:03:59
It’s hard to accept that this happens ‘because of tradition’. It is not acceptable in today’s society and yet it still goes on.
Jul 07, 2018 @ 12:38:21
It is wrong on every level! And it still goes on though in most places it is illigal. It is an awful practice.💜
Jul 07, 2018 @ 12:33:38
This is very hectic, Willow. Beautifully penned.
Jul 07, 2018 @ 13:36:49
Sorry Robbie how do you mean hectic. (Not being fuñny) 💜💜
Jul 10, 2018 @ 12:58:17
I mean emotionally disturbing and mentally challenging.
Jul 10, 2018 @ 13:32:00
Oh! I see I agree, sorry I wasn’t being funny just didn’t get the hectic .💜💜
Jul 10, 2018 @ 14:06:21
My usage of it in this context may well be a South African colloquialism.
Jul 10, 2018 @ 14:47:56
I see, and I agree with your explanation, either way FGM is an awful thing that needs to be stopped. 💜💜
Jul 07, 2018 @ 13:21:24
This is such an important topic that needs to be discussed on a platform like this. I’m delighted to see it in the form of beautiful poetry. Great write! Glad I discovered your page 🙂
Jul 07, 2018 @ 13:26:58
I am so sad to say that there are so many terrible things in this world. All I can do is keep prodding people’s awareness. Thank you for reading 💜