That Nigerian Girl

I am unlearning silence Learning how to say no To things that make me uncomfortable To the things that hurt me To the things that me question self-worth To the things that make me subservient I am unlearning grief Learning to let go Of the thoughts that draw me back Of the words that pierced my heart Of the laughter that mocked my spirit Of the promises that ridiculed my choice I am learning laughter Learning to hold on To the things that bring me joy To the things that flood my heart with light To the words that propel me forward To the people who bring me peace I am learning bravery Learning to say yes To the things that make me free To things passion brings my way To the path that lets my voice be heard To the one that lets my heart love To the one that leads my heart to love

"Madam you need to be present at her school, your daughter is insolent". I can still remember those words. On another occasion mother came, She asked that I apologize, I stared at her and shook my head..."no". "You act like you're high class". I can remember a friend say. I am most ashamed now, Of the way I lowered my chin and walked away. "I don't like the way you walk with your shoulders raised up". Right now I could smack myself, for I found myself later, Walking with my head down, eyes focused on the ground. "You laugh too loud and deep" or was it..."you laugh too much and it's weird". I should laugh now, at the way her face was twisted in disgust. They never understand. "she too dey do sef". I heard their whispers,  I want to scream at myself, for being mute and wishing I wasn't the best. After all, other people could do it as well. I have heard s...

I love the mirror It shows me what I am What I look like It reflects exactly what it sees My scars, my pain, my aches... My marks, roughness My own eyes staring back at me I watch my tears flow down my cheek I see my tongue taste it Salty in it's own bitterness I hate what it shows me I like to think this is my greatest weakness Can I accept That the mirror doesn't truly lie? That it shows me what I really am? Or can I just blink it away Assume it was never there? Am scared that if I look away I become oblivious to who I am So I love the mirror It doesn't flinch or crack I like that it can't hear me It just tells me who I am Makes me understand how they see me Bitter truth sometimes...I must say I accept what it says I nod and believe ...It's just the mirror