RECLAIM - A COLLECTION OF POETRY

this body

the channel for your crimes

the focus of your political meddling 

the weapon of your wars

take what you want 

when you want it

taught I was

to stay silent

to never be angry

to not speak at the table

head down

mouth shut.

this body

whose pieces I remove in the shower 

then cover them up with your lies

this body

I was told to hide

for the responsibility is mine

this body

I was taught to squeeze

for your pleasure

“you are beautiful” 

you say

as you parade my nakedness

on your TV

this body

misinformed and disenchanted

too big

too small

too soft

too rough

too tall

too short

too much

too little

this body

that you claim ownership on

asking me to abort my future in the name of your lord

this body 

that you ask to birth a child of violence

push

push

push

push

push 

push

this body 

says no more

**

“what if they said you could live like this forever?” 

she asked enthusiastically

“your breasts would stay on your chest

firm, robust

your skin would stay soft and pure

your feet would never hurt from walking the footsteps of your path”

she continued,

whilst frantically caressing the top of her foot

“your hands would not bear the marks of the sun 

that has kissed your skin through a lifetime”

“your mouth would stay plum

it would not wither away with every kiss!”

“your hair would remain the same colour

untouched by the wind that passed through it

the saltwater that wet it

and the sun that dried it

oh! and your body would have no marks, no scars!

before I could speak

she interrupted

 “and your back would not curve from carrying your sufferings and those of others

can you imagine?”

“I can” I replied

“I would be nothing but a body without a story”

-   no story

**

my hand moved in and out

purple nail varnish,

I watched the mirror as

I made myself wet,

sexual pleasure

usually so distant from a woman’s vision

was right in front of me

I contracted with passion

opened like a lotus

in front of that mirror

I could not escape the rawness

and goodness

that I am able to create 

                                  - the mirror

**

I pulled my pants down 

and saw the blood of life that made me a woman,

so I celebrated 

and thanked my body

for it gets to start again

at every moon

- celebrate