That Nigerian Girl

I knew her story before it was told I saw her Bouncing up and down, itching to play A beautiful little girl Tugging and pulling 'Let me out' she says Full of energy no one could contain. I saw her She rushed past Beautiful young lady I couldn't believe she grew so fast Yet another interview She had to get a yes this time. I saw her How could I not recognize that smile Beautiful woman Haggling with the plantain seller Carrying her little girl on her back Whispering 'everything is going to be okay' I was too caught up...I didn't see Everything happened in a blur I didn't see her fears and confusion Or get a whiff of the tension Didn't hear the abusive words I am most sorry I should have looked more closely What happened to all that energy...bouncy little girl? Beyond her perfect smile I didn't see the tear stained cheeks Covered carefully with layers of powder Or the finger prints...covered perfectly with her hair. I s

Mother taught me to love I learnt not only from her words but her actions She took strangers beneath her warmth Smiled and called them family, no retraction You remind me of mother For I could see in you that ebony, curvy, curly black perfection God truly never made a mistake at creation I wonder if you were ever taunted for it, like she was In a heartbeat I called you sister And so when I stepped into your home I had no need to fear I trusted you like sister to sister Amazed at what you had accomplished I stood in awe of your beauty Perfection seemed to you an ordinary feat. Mother would be truly proud. But something has changed Your eyes no longer shine with love You extend your hand not with care, but rage When you speak about me Your words are filled with disdain Drums that once beat to our unity Have been replaced with disunity I woke up to strange faces looking down at me I could not understand what I had done wrong Woul