DIDACTIC: "IT TOOK ME NINE YEARS..." BY AJAKAYE STRIDA

I do not need to be with human beings,

I need to be with all creatures, even animals

that can drive the possibility of my dreams.

I have never been a bouncing baby girl,

my parents did call me a 'girl' when they were unaware

of my exceptional qualities as a Woman.

I am not a narrator of ambitions,

black coals turn white when usefulness begins,

to speak is to leak; secret workers are celebrated publicly.

I am not a wife,

until I become a mother to the privileged and less,

only an independent woman can get pregnant.

I am not as available to others

as their skins is choiceless to them,

I have the right to avoid conversations for my peaceful productive thoughts.

No one cares about my pains,

even time does not wait a second to console me during my mistakes,

I need to push through harder and sensibly.

I never regret my terrible experiences,

I am proud of my pathetic past,

and no one has the right to advise me over my pathetic past.

I am not a woman who reads sense

in being with my mates, 

greatness has warned me to either impart or be imparted.

It took me nine years...

to know that I have to enjoy my existence

before my existence can be enjoyed by another.

© RASHIDAT OLAMIDAYO AJAKAYE

STRIDA... guiding you to striking confidence in academic and creative writing!

2024

The poet persona uses nine stanzas to convey the ways of life being learnt in nine years. Some of these sensible ways of life are: feminine independence, hardwork, less regression, impart making, self-love before loving others, and many more.