3 October 2013
Painful Truth Poem: A blog and poem on FGM for National Poetry Day 2013
Today, 3rd October 2013, is National Poetry Day when the UK celebrates poetry in all its forms. To mark this special day we would like to acknowledge the power of poetry to help us share experiences, express our feelings and engage with others in a personal and meaningful way.
In our work against female genital mutilation (FGM) we regularly see the way different art forms can help deliver messages about the harm caused by FGM, explain that this practice is not neccessary and perhaps most importantly provide a way that those who have undergone FGM can express their feelings and begin to heal. Drama, story-telling, dance, painting, sculpture, needlecraft and all forms of writing including poetry are used to great effect in the fight against FGM and today we want to especially pay tribute to those who find a way to tackle FGM through poetry.
We are pleased to be able to share a poem written by a Somali FGM survivor. When we read this we feel her pain and sorrow at what has happened to her and many other girls. She helps us understand the confusion, helplessness and despair that FGM causes as well as the life long physical damage and medical complications. We join with the poet in calling for an end to FGM and a new golden age when all girls and women live free from the fear of and pain of FGM.
Painful Truth Poem
At some point of my life
I asked myself why
All the eyes are on me
It makes me want to cry
They want me to be tough
Pass this habit to my kids
Teach them to be rough
Let them feel what I felt
But what if it is wrong
And it has to be wrong
It doesn’t make me feel strong
This is a story
That no one wants to hear
It’s only my destiny
To end this life with fear
I was 5 years old
When I started to realize
That girls are born to be cold
Just like a useless device
It’s not my right to complain
As a matter of fact
I should withstand all emotional and physical pain
I heard that one of my friends
Became a hero
Because she went under a procedure
That make her so
I knew my day will come anyway
It was never an option, it was compulsory
I had to bite my lips
Hold back the tears in my eyes
Because if I cried, they will inform other kids
That I was a coward and I will never go a step forward.
The pain and I grew up
Together we never stopped
Seeking for something to separate us
We never ever gave up
But people still wanted to hurt me
They taught me that my life doesn’t belong to me
Now I feel that there is nothing hurtful
I got used with everything even if it’s horrible
I remember I had urine retention
And I needed a medical attention
But first, they wanted permission
From those who never changed their vision
To cut me up
To leave me with no choice
But to give up
I guess they never cared about my emotion
Or they would empathize knowing the sensation
Inside me was a tremendous commotion
I was lost in an invisible and painful ocean
I’m a girl
Like any other Somali girl
FGM is the only nightmare
Looking forward to the golden age
When it will all vanish
Can’t wait for you golden age
To come and end this punishment.
If you are moved by this poem please share it with others and if you would like to help in the fight to end FGM please support 28 Too Many. You can donate to help fund our work, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.