ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!

‘Are you kidding me!!!!!!’
She shouted in a total rage,
Furious and foaming at the mouth.
‘I grew up with 6 brothers,
She continued ….
I had to clean, cook and fetch,
For each and every one.

I had to sweep the grounds outside,
And clean the whole house,
I had to cut grass for the cows,
And clean the sheds too,
I had to cut firewood for cooking,
Fetch water from the river,
rush home to do the cooking.

I had to wash their clothes,
Save their meals,
And as I grew older,
Serve their needs,
I never asked to be a woman,
I cursed the day I was born!
When I got heavy with child,
I didn’t know of which brother,
I still had to do the same.

And now I have 7 daughters,
With no father to raise them,
No man ever pleased me,
And yet I lived my life for them,
I see my daughters growing up,
With all the chances I had in life,
I boil with anger at injustice,
from everyone around me,
and you ask me this stupid question!????

Why can’t I read or write?
You ask!
Why don’t I care for my children?
You say!
Why do I curse and cuff their heads?
You ask!
I live in this nightmare,
In each and every day.
You know nothing of it!!!!

Family planning you ask?
Who the hell do you think you are!???
I’d rather slit my throat in peace,
Or drink some broken glass,
Than raise the anger of my husband,
Who saved me from those rats.
So yes he may beat me,
And I am pregnant every year,
At least I get some food,
Sometimes even a beer.

You don’t think I am so smart?
I try to save my daughters,
By being ready for my man,
Each and every night.
The pain doesn’t matter,
I never knew any better,
I have plenty of smarts,
I try to save my daughters,
Maybe they will still be virgins,
At least to the age of 10!

What does life have for them?
In this land owned by men?
My own father sold me,
For the bride price of a cow!
I never even tasted the milk,
As I was already gone.
I didn’t cry, what’s the use?
And you call this child abuse?
You don’t have no idea!

I am 16, a woman,
Pierced by my brothers,
At half that age!
What right have you,
to blame my husband?
Did he not pay a price?
Is he not feeding me better?
Do I not have a home?
Is it worse to be married
And save one man,
Than to be a ‘’child’’
And save all my brothers?

You call me a fool?
Are you kidding me!!!!!!
Go buy more trendy shoes
And be on your way!!!’

She finished in rage.