The issue of marrying out teenagers in Nigeria is becoming astronomic. I just decided to bring to the public to see for themselves whether it is fair to the young being given out in marriage.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hali married at thirteen,
To a man twice her father's age.
Her scholarship dread stunted,
As her parents espoused her.
She was encapsuled in beauty.
At less than fourteen,
Hali got pregnant,
Worry enwrapped her,
Because she was naive;
A narrow pelvis, result of diagnosis.
Nine awful months later,
A baby laboured, but got stuck
In the narrow passage.
Hali received life scaring laceration
A tear that brought fear.
Hali became ill,
Bed-ridden for several months
With soaking her under
The cut refused to heal.
Today, Hali's beauty
Is like a torn cloth
Hung on a disused line,
Her life a pillage,
A victim of teenage marriage.
Powerful write. So sad. Youth and beauty are bartered as a commodity around the world. Where once we had hope of lifting a woman's value, it seems that we have turned back to ignorance. This is a struggle that must not die...
Emeka this poem pierces the heart and shouts that we should not overlook crimes against children in the name of honoring cultural practice. You've done an excellent job in making your point, sir. ~~Nordette
thank you, Emeka, for presenting this bitterly accurate piece. life is so difficult for so many on this planet...
poignantly expressed write.
take care,
Carolyn
Emeka, you have sounded the most effective call for change by just telling the story of the way it is, forcing people within your culture and outside of it to confront the reality of how such a practice can devastate a single life of beauty. Excellent work! Dawn
Excellent write ,Emeka, I think it is very wrong to do this to teens. I know many cultures have different traditions, and it is not for me to say how they should be. However,it's my right to give an opinion. Parents should do what will be of benefit to their children.They should stop following old traditions that are no longer necessary. Children have rights too!
A powerful cry for change in your words--keep speaking out! You may have saved many lives today...you remind me of another who writes of Africa's problems. He and you can educate millions through your words--thank you
Robin Ouzman Hislop's poetry is certainly in dialogue with some of the key architects of the 'poetics of indeterminacy' – both the Modernist strands represented by the likes of Beckett and Stein, and the postmodernist strands represented, initially,
Mary Angela Nangini's poems celebrate the richness of life and love. From the city to cottage-country and the roads in between, Nangini explores the changing seasons of her varied region. (This book will soon be reprinted in hard cover.)
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M.Rose
poignantly expressed write.
take care,
Carolyn
well written ...
Timely work... and well done.
Elizabeth
love Tinka
Alrisha
A powerful cry for change in your words--keep speaking out! You may have saved many lives today...you remind me of another who writes of Africa's problems. He and you can educate millions through your words--thank you
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(