Plight of An African Widow

My heart bleeds when I think of this culture ,
My piteous life can’t fathom this picture ,
Callousness !,how can man descend so low 
To acclaim wickedness as part of nature ,
For tradition is unfair to a widow .

My blood stained skirt can’t be washed clean ,
Barbaric dark custom that could be seen ,
To drink bath water of the corpse is not good ,
Or sleep beside the dead through the night is obscene ,
I saunter through threshold of sorrow and hardwood .

My eyes..red, my dismal life is brought to light ,
Sad! That all we worked for is taken by fight ,
Labeled as a man killer with no prove found ,
How can tradition be so cruel without foresight ,
That my husband in-laws turned their back around.

Conception of shame and pain reigns in my brain ,
Which makes me sick and almost  go  insane ,
In this modern age ,justice must be done ,
Robbed off and reduced to someone without gain,
How can this wrong be right and this battle won ?.


9-22-2017
CONTEST: Rhyme Time with 5  sponsored by Laura Loo .
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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La France Avatar
October 12, 2017 at 7:12 AM
Congratulations on your win with this outstanding write !
Barden Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 11:14 PM
Very sad and poignant, but I enjoyed it very much, Olusegun - congrats on another win! :-)
Allison Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 5:49 PM
the imagery is quite harrowing Olusegun many congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Scars Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 6:13 AM
great poem Olusegun, thank you and congrats :)
Dietrich Avatar
September 27, 2017 at 12:17 AM
This is so very sad, Olusegun. I am not sure I quite understand all that has happened to this poor woman but it sounds indeed dismal. Well done.
Arowolo Avatar
September 28, 2017 at 10:00 PM
Thanks Andrea.I pray this act should stop.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
September 22, 2017 at 10:01 AM
Potent pen!
Arowolo Avatar
September 28, 2017 at 10:01 PM
Thanks Maureen.
Pandit Avatar
September 22, 2017 at 9:07 AM
You bring to light the pain and sorrow of so many--a well written theme--best wishes for a win!
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