A CROSS TO HAVE, A SHAME WITHOUT

Birth = Creation
Woman = God

Ib
I always wonder what happens to the Santrofie bird
Which the hunter can’t kill nor leave
Does it build for it a shed
Or light a fire beneath it to deceive?
Or perhaps he holds it firm
As free edible game pass to shake their term
What really happens to the hunter and its Santrofie bird?

II
I need to know
In order to know
Just why many take on blows upon blows and still kowtow
…to the dictates of abuse as though
…they’ve no homes to go
…to
Why must marriage be a cross to carry
…and a shame without?

III
Why are the few good men ridiculed as toktok
As the many bad ones win with their monstrous deeds?
I need to know
Why the working woman washes the clothes
…cooks the meals
…lays the bed
…prepares the children for school
While mister watches football crossed legged
…complaining of noise the human machine must drown?
I want to know why a woman must serve till she is murdered
…as a man leads his conquests
I want to know why a woman must be taught to please
…while men are left wicked to tease
I need to know the lines between the heart of man
…and that of a woman
Why must marriage be a cross for a woman to have
…and a shame when she is without?

III
Now they’re killing
And tongues are wagging!
Now they’re deceiving
And eyes are glaring!
Now they’re impudent
And hearts are screaming!
Did you not know it will come to this
When you told her to bear his threats
…and taunts?
Didn’t you know when you told her to apologize for his mistreatments?
Didn’t you know when you ridiculed to push her
…into his arms?
Didn’t you know when you made her take his wrongs
And act the strong?
Tell me why marriage should be a woman’s cross
…without which she languishes in shame?

IV
Reasoning must season minds to change
This state which imprison the woman’s state
Surely needs a rework
None sits to watch legs dance to dangerous tunes
Only to curse at the sprain of ankles
…except hypocrites
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © March 13, 2021