She sits as though the world  beneath her feet
though rumbling, were quite firm,
quiet, perfect and white as snow
a subtle smile upon her lips, a cup of hope inside her womb
she rests, knowing she must do whatever
to keep the child within her safe
for an angel's visit confirmed
this baby would someday weave words
a bandage, a release from bondage
a grain of rice and warm clothes
one slice of time at a time
obedient child
peaceful wolf
gentle woman
she be
she be

((She was a battered wife. She was a young and very innocent 19 year old urged into an arranged marriage to a man she barely knew. When I remember the stories, I have more love for her because she had the choice to get rid of me while I was still in her womb--My father and his mother, who lived with them, refused to feed her, and the clothes she's wearing was given to her by some lady who befriended her. Her only hope was me and even when my father told her she would give birth to a lizard, she knew better, she told me, that she fell even more in love with me...))

Copyright © 2008 Bernice Angoh