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I speak, but you do not pay attention.
People view my limp as a sign of defiance.
Your “yes” silences my “no”
Why does it appear that my suffering makes you happy, Mother?

Every night he gets into my bed.
He dominates me by pushing and slapping me.
Mother, why does he abuse me without feeling guilty?

I told you about his impure behavior in private.
However, you struck out, leaving wounds.
You told me to bear it and be quiet.
He is your fourth husband,
So why should my ‘Ogbanje’ disturb your mother’s peace and quiet?

I begged for your forgiveness,
But you dismissed me as an idiot.
Even during my period, this pain became into a nightly ritual.
He pushed himself up against me carelessly.
Leaving me to clean up the aftermath.

Mother, why?

He claims my very presence arouses him
My natural growth, my curves – gifts from God
Not meant to be abused by him
He even gropes me in your presence, and you do nothing.

Mother, why?

Are you truly my mother?
I doubt you carried me in your womb
I doubt I ever nursed from your breast
I must find my real mother
Despite our physical resemblance, this connection feels wrong
Did you steal me from my true mother?

Mother, why?

At 9pm, you would tell me to bathe
As I sat motionless, you would apply powder to my neck
“Smell fresh for him, as usual,” you would say
Those words were like a foul stench, suffocating me
I was only 13.

Mother, why?

You stood by the door and watched as he violated me
My cries meant nothing to you
Your breast never responded to my moans
You stood there, watching
After his vile act, you handed him a toilet roll to clean up

Mother, why?

I curse the day my father married you
I curse the day you conceived me
I curse the days when your two husbands abused me at ages 6 and 10
It seems you derive pleasure from my pain
Confess! Did you bring me into this world to suffer?
Are you a demon sent to punish me?
Is this my karma from a past life?

Mother, why?

Today, I plead before I act
Please, tell me the truth
Enough of this pain
Enough of your desires, it is my turn now
I want to break free from your hypnotic charm
Mother, can you explain why?

With this knife, I solemnly swear on my father’s grave
If you refuse to reveal your ‘why’
Prepare to face my father at the gates of heaven and explain your choices
But if you remain steadfast in your silence
Then together, we will leave the earthly realm and bring this case before the divine judge
We will meet our fate together, and Hell will welcome you
And I shall finally find eternal peace

Goodbye, Mother.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

Photo credit: iStock

Right in my threads and fabric’s embrace,
I have learned a truth, a lesson to embrace,
One of time’s power, woven fine,
In every stitch, the essence of life’s design.

A dress I wore, a cherished attire,
In colors vibrant, my heart’s desire,
But time, that relentless weaver’s hand,
Unfurled its might, a tear, unplanned.

A single stitch I could have made,
To save the dress, its beauty displayed,
Yet heedless I, I let it be,
Thinking, “Tomorrow will set it free.”

But alas, the morrow came and went,
More tears appeared, their numbers spent,
The longer I waited, the worse it grew,
A flawed design, my neglect in view.

Oh, the power of doing things on time,
As I observed that dress of mine,
Procrastination, a sly disguise,
It lures with comfort, but soon belies.

For with each passing hour, a fray,
The fabric weakened, colors astray,
And I, the culprit, to blame for this,
Neglect’s embrace, the path to amiss.

With needle and thread, I took my stand,
To mend the dress with steady hand,
Each careful stitch, a symbol of might,
To battle time and set things right.

And as the dress began to heal,
Its beauty returned, a wondrous appeal,
I realized the truth in my grasp,
Time’s power subdued in a timely clasp.

Beyond the dress, a wisdom arose,
In life’s grand tapestry, it surely shows,
To seize the moments, before they fade,
Is to honor the design life laid.

For just as a dress that tears and frays,
A life untended, in disarray,
Yet with each timely act we bind,
A symphony of moments well-aligned.

May these words of mine remind,
Of the power in doing things on time,
With each stitch of life we sow,
A masterpiece of moments will grow.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

(Verse 1)
On this sacred day, the sun arises high,
Songs of devotion, let’s raise it to the sky,
With hearts entwined, in worship, we will unite,
For the One who makes and takes, in His holy light.

(Chorus)
Because it is Sunday, we gather to pray,
Eulogizing the God of creation, we say,
Unquestionably, our faith we display,
In His love and mercy, we find our way.

(Verse 2)
From dust to life, His hands designed,
The heavens and the earth, in splendor aligned,
With every breath, His grace we embrace,
In awe of His creations, we find our place.

(Chorus)
Because it is Sunday, we gather to pray,
Eulogizing the God of creation, we say,
Unquestionably, our faith we display,
In His love and mercy, we find our way.

(Bridge)
Through trials and triumphs, we endure,
His presence, a beacon, steadfast and pure,
In darkness, His light guides our sight,
With boundless love, we have never alone in the fight.

(Verse 3)
The mountains, the seas, the stars above,
Witness His wonders, a testament of love,
In every moment, His grace does abound,
With unwavering devotion, our hearts are bound.

(Chorus)
Because it is Sunday, we gather to pray,
Eulogizing the God of creation, we say,
Unquestionably, our faith we display,
In His love and mercy, we find our way.

(Outro)
This blessed day, let our voices ring,
With gratitude and praise, we will forever sing,
For the One who makes and takes, our souls He will keep,
In His embrace, eternally, we find our peace.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
http://www.ifedolapoogunniyi.art.blog

Amid life’s bustling nest,
As my interest wanes and fades,
I desire to exit this exhausting contest,
Yet, the way out remains elusive, evades.

Longing for a moment’s rest,
To you, I shall be honest and true,
Advice won’t sway or divest,
My heart vouches for the path I pursue.

Fate entangles me in its forest,
Leaving confusion as my only vestige,
Seeking solace and a pause from the quest,
Letting go of the need to be esteemed or prestiged.

Craving a protracted repose,
An arresting embrace to heal,
Free from thoughts that impose,
No worries about where to invest or deal.

No longer fearing life’s darker throes,
Just me, unmasked and real.

A break is what I earnestly request,
Far from every friend requests,
Shielded from the news of distress,
A moment without the fear of life’s pests.

A nap, where self and soul are blessed,
Transported to serenity, a soothing retreat,
A place where I’m not a mere guest,
But embraced with love, valued and complete.

In search of that peaceful nest,
For my well-being, this choice I attest,
With honesty, my intentions I express,
Though tough, my soul will find a rest.

Pardon me, for this selfish quest,
In full, I shall cherish this time for the best,
Do not fret, my return will be my conquest,
Happier, stronger, and blessed.

(c) Ifedolapo Ogunniyi