PERSONA: "WHAT EXACTLY?" BY ALAYE ROMZIAT

I am a girl full of dreams, passion, and valour.

Deep within myself, I know my worth not out of pride or ego, but from a quiet understanding that my existence carries value.

My dreams and goals are my priorities. They live in my mind, grow in my heart, and guide the steps I take every day.

But sometimes I find myself asking…

What exactly was I raised for?

To be a good example?

To be a good wife?

To become the perfect piece placed carefully in my husband’s house serving dutifully, gracefully, and with dignity?

Whenever my flaws appear not from carelessness, but simply from being human, the songs I hear are always the same:

“Is this how you will behave in your husband’s house?”

“Is this what you will cook for your in-laws?”

And in the middle of all these expectations, one quiet question keeps echoing inside me:

What about me?

Beyond preparing me for someone else's home…

Beyond shaping me to fit someone else’s expectations…

What exactly do I get for myself?

© Alaye Romziat 

Tales of a Nightbirde

- Nigeria 

The poem “What Exactly?” reflects the thoughts of a young woman who recognizes her worth, dreams, and ambitions. While she is determined to achieve her goals, she questions why society seems more concerned with preparing her for marriage than helping her pursue her own aspirations.

The speaker expresses frustration with the constant reminders that her actions should reflect how she will behave in her future husband's home. These expectations make her feel that her value is tied mainly to her role as a wife rather than as an individual.

Through a series of reflective questions, the poem challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the need to recognize women for their personal dreams, identities, and achievements, not just their marital responsibilities.