They say it is culture

I say it is torture

Born a woman, a reason to be oppressed

It is culture, a woman must be suppressed

I must never be too forward

They will only drag me backward

As a woman I must learn to be submissive

For a man has the power to be dismissive

To be accepted

I must be subjected!

 

Different meals I must prepare

That’s what makes me special

They say teas I must make

Special cakes I should bake

The butter I churn amidst the patter

To children and husband I pander

Hanging on to my apron often

As I take the heat of the Oven

I am sweating

He is swearing

Well he is the Man

And I am just a Woeman

 

They celebrate polygamy

But condemn polyandry

Why must he have all the fun

Having his beer belly rub in the sun

He has status, he must be a chief

Cos he has so many wives as chefs

Catering to his every need

Ready to bear all his seeds

Many lovers will leave me a pariah

I can be stoned according to Shariah

 

I am a child and there goes my friend

I can’t see her face; she is covered like a fiend

They say it makes her a woman worthy

Her value rises when a man comes forth

She is just a child that needs to play

Without all the covers to drag and slay

We were playing in the rain

Now I search for her in vain

Someone has carted her off to marry

She is just a kid, Oh how I worry

Now she will never be merry

As that old man pops her cherry

 

I am a child born an atheist

Only to be told I must be a theist

To their services I am dragged

While all they do is brag

About their god fearing child

Oh how I wish for a shield

From all that talk of heaven and hell

I would rather be left in my shell

As the thought of a burning fire

Leaves me bewildered and tired

But they think I must have

With them a myth to share

A god to offer supplications

As I submit my applications

 

See I am gay

So I have no say

They say it is a taboo

But this is not a tattoo

That leaves me a choice

Now I have found my voice

With Pride I reject your offer

In silence I will no longer suffer

Safety and silence for my sexuality

It’s too high a price for my mentality

Now you know one man‘s culture

Is really another woman’s torture!

BY © YEMISI ILESANMI