Poem: my innocence, my pain

*My innocence, my pain*

Mummy told me to keep it

My daddy said it's a precious gift to my husband

My pastor said it's the Lord's temple

My teacher said nobody should forcefully touch me

An innocence I vowed to keep

On my way to the stream

Very cold morning covered with fog

Cloth in my usual sleeveless kaba

Rushing to fulfil my morning chores

Not knowing it was the end

From behind fast steps could be heard

No time to seek safety

In the Bush I found myself

Battling to preserve my innocence

Too weak to fight back

Abandoned to divine intervention

A sharp pain in between my thighs

Excruciating and violent at the same time

Weeping from the bottom of my heart

No one to hear me

Blood rolling down my legs like a river

My innocence stolen

By an unconscious and devilish figure

What do I tell my mother?

What do I tell my pastor?

My future husband?

Why did God allow it?

I will never forget

My priceless jewel gone

My pride gone

Tears filled my eyes

Who do I run to for help?

Who will restore my innocence?

All but sad memories filled with remorse

My future shattered

Poem written by

Solange Swiri Tumasang