No More

I was born a female
You were born a male
None of us had a say in the matter of our birth
Neither did we chose from what part of this earth
For in His own image we were created


From the day of our birth 
Our differences were laid bare
From the onset, our paths were set
Same community,  same culture 
Just because of a different genetic makeup 


My chores were many even from that early age
From sunrise to sunset
Do this, do that
Duties allocated differently 
Yet very unpropotionate


Like a flower I grew
Well watered and aired
Closely monitored and censored 
Under the watchful eyes of the female folk I grew
Until my world came crashing down


My identity was not my own
My success measured by another
My dreams given a barely there nod
Then dismissed altogether 
Seen as not important 


I was viewed as property 
A measure of wealth 
An item to be passed on from one to another
A vessel for the pleasure of others
Like goods in a marketplace I was traded


Just  before I blossomed
The bud that was me
Was forcefully opened
My petals recklessly plucked away
Just before I was to share my beauty with the world 
My colour and fragrance was vanquished 


What wrong did i do? 
That I am treated differently 
That my dreams and purpose in life
To you does not matter
An item of trade to you I am.


I scream and cry in silence
In constant pain my days pass by
With scars that have not healed 
Despite the physical pain years ago
What wrong did I do?


I will stay silent no more
With a loud voice I will say no more
In my actions the practice will be no more
From harmful cultural practices 
Join me in saying 'No more!'

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