Blackgirl

This poem came about after attending Lagos International Poetry Festival last weekend. Being surrounded by so much creative energy was so filling, i'm still riding on that high. It's funny how we say we love our mothers and lovers  Yet we choose to measure the love in the amount of pain they've endured The amount of violence, of bullshit they tolerated from us Yet this is the love we claim Love vowed from not being our fathers Yet doing same to our lovers Yet raising our fists Cutting skin with our words and actions  Still laying claim to love The love we show by saying "yes strong woman You stayed, you allowed us break you Thank you for letting us use as we see fit your bodies" This love we proclaim to the whole world  Tweeting and Facebooking about Is the love that drags women through the dregs of hell and back  Using as footmats to step on as we please  And as ego boosters when we feel low Yet this is l...