poignant read

Sandra, i appreciated this poem because it gave voice to the young girl and that's very important because in her daily life she, more than likely, has no voice and even if she did have a voice, the cultural norms expressed in this poem, will probably dismiss it.

I Still Say You Should Turn Your Work Into Like 4,8,Single Volumes Of Single (Even Paperback)Books --You Can Get Them Published For Free At:

iUniverse.com...

TRASK

so on point. painfully well done, Sandra. kudos.
peace,
Carolyn

Sandra I don't know how I missed this, but it was a powerful write, five stars for you and many blessings sent your way
God Bless
Michelle!

You must have posted this while I was away on a happy family vacation last year, Sandie... ironically, I am literally just off there again! But, my goodness, this rips at my soul and has my eyes out on stoppers... first of all the young age of physical "maturity" which allows this "rape of innocence" to take place... here in Britain we are up in arms that our girls are needing sanitary provision in primary schools... we put it down to all the hormones in the foodchain as well as lifestyle influences. But the knife continues to twist in this narrative which is sooooooooo powerful because of the "simplicity" of the telling in the child's voice. I find this almost incomprehensible, particularly in the light of my own "privileged" Western life experience. Makes me appreciate the world is still yet a very big place and so diverse... albeit we are all sisters and brothers under the thin cultural skin. The tensions between ancient tradition and the global move of human rights is knife-edge in this write. Extremely moving and affecting. Bless you, TY Kate xx

Sandra this is so so poignant. A ten year old!!!! It happens all the time out here in India too. When you become accustomed to something you can actually bring yourself to turn away.

This write touched deep...God bless..

shoma

Wow! This was extremely moving. Gripping. I would give it a 5 out of 5. The expression held my attention and I liked your word play.

I just want to say, it's so hard to think of this happening, but it does and it's poetry like this which brings such things to light. Thanks for writing this.

Steph

Ah yes, so often the plight of very young girls in Africa. Excellently written. Poignant. R

Excellent write. Most girls are robbed the freedom and right to enjoy their youth because of the 'culture'. Keep the secret within the family, cover stuff up while the little girl dies inside, day by day.
Sad but it happens for real.
Ingrid

This deserves to be read. Excellent!

Wow!! this gave me so many feelings and this was very deep, emotional, sad, heartelt and touching. What goes on in other countries should lead us to know that we are exceptionally blessed.

Whoa. Powerful message here. Thank you.

Tami

What a touching poem.
Whenever I come across such things, I thank God for living in a "civilized world".
Poor little one.
Amira

this is soooooooooooo sad, sometimes you can think other people are animals. And this is for the father, mother and the husband too.
Sandie we are in authorsden for fun so please! do not make as sad.
But good work anyway

This wretched at my heart Sandra-sadly true and hardly understood! In their culture. GREAT touching (fist in your gut) kinda'Reality Poem. WArmly,Sheee ~How we pray for peace and wisdom and answers for them so young and unknowing~oxo

such a sad poem. it made me feel so many things even about my own life... well done, well read

Very sad poem
thanks for sharing this cry of pain
Love and peace

this is so sad...other places in the world are certainly not like the one in which many of us have been blessed to be born and raised in, certainly. i hesitate to invoke the ideal of cultural relativity, since in this case, it is so obviously wrong-headed. you expressed a heart-rending tale with such ease, it is always a pleasure to read your work.

A quote that my mother often repeated came to my mind as I read this, "But for the grace of God there go I." These kinds of stories make me wonder why some of us are born into safe lives and some of us to danger and sorrow. I think those of us born to safety have to ask ourselves, what God can we do about this? Even if it's to pray daily for children born into this plight that's more than to pretend these horrors don't exist. And also we should be grateful that we were born to better circumstances or have been delivered to better circumstances and so live our own lives better, helping others, and try not to waste our days. Thank you, Sandie, for sharing this powerful piece.

A lovely poem made frightening because of its reality.

I as a father am thankful never to have been put in a similar position.

David

Now, that cuts to the core. Somehow the ignorance that allows this to happen must be overcome. True, tragedies like this give the young wisdom before its time, but an education is of no good when poverty and despair fail its use.

The Gods Must Be Crazy

Ron

Sandra,

TEN???? TEN????????????????? I can't believe--and yet, it continues to happen, again and again....many African cultures (I believe the Maasai do this) marry their young daughters off, forcing them to become women before they finish being children. How awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You got my blood boiling; that is a good thing, Sandra. Maybe if enough people see this outrage, something will be done. One can only pray--and believe you me, sweetie, I will be.

SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent, strongly penned, emotional bombshell. Just what we need to shake us up and change the world for the better--for our kids.

((((((HUGS)))))) and love, Karla. *tears*

WWW.Worldvision.

This is a travisty and it continues. How I loath such injustice. Such a crime is this trafficing. My blood boils at the toothless UN.
You've expressed it well. My heart, prayers, letters and e-mails go out to this deprivation, of mans poverty..

This is so heartbreaking...but happens all the time!!

It is total madness!!

Love Tinka

That is so sad...she is so young! I couldn't image it happening to me. She looks like a girl holding a doll. God bless her.

Every culture has a "bride-price". Some are more subtle than others.
You have given voice to a silent scandal. Huzzah for you.

Oh Sandie, how very tragic and heart-breaking, this is just so sad, excellently written,

Reindeer

This is true horror. Fantastic capture of a culture that still needs changing.

Unbelivably tragic. That is all I can muster right now. Sad.

Sandie, this is an outstanding work that tears at the very fabric of society, and saddens the minds of all who wish to see an end to these kind of situations. However, I doubt if we will in our lifetime. Your writing is pure and excellent . Thank you for sharing!

heartbreaking write, but a sad fact of life in a lot of the world! very well done, sandie!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in america, karen lynn in texas. :( >tears <

Heart aching, poem and picture, Sandra! Well written!

A soul-gripping and deeply moving poetic account, Sandra. Thank you for sharing it. Love and peace to you. Regis

A superb and sad poem this Sandie, it brings to the fore the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of living in Africa. You are a superb representative of African culture and the voice of those who cannot be heard thank you.

Paul;-)

In some cultures, dowry is brought by the groom to the wife's family when the marry. However, whether brought by the man or woman - this tradition is sometimes misused to make quick money. Parents can hardly wait for their little girls to show the first sign of "womanhood" so they can be "sold" off into marriage - so as to pay off debts, but a farm et cetera.

A poignant write which leaves you with sorrow for this unfortunate child.

great poem...sad. i had always thought that a dowry was what a woman brings to the marriage but the dictionary tells me that it can be what either bring into the marriage...i learned something new from your poem thanks