The Girl With The Nigerian Tattoo

The Girl With The Nigerian Tattoo

A Poem by Tomi

 

Sometimes, she heard them whisper

A laugh, a jeer or two

Some bigots nicknamed her “sister”

The girl with the Nigerian tattoo

 

They said she had an ugly face

Something out of a cartoon

Her reputation spread from place to place

As the girl with the Nigerian Tattoo

 

It was her first year as a foreigner

In London she was, for school

She hated what they were calling her

“The girl with the Nigerian Tattoo”

 

She packed her bags and ran away

They searched for her; Night and day

Posters on the walls, pictures on the news

“Looking for the girl with the Nigerian Tattoo”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2013 Tomi


Author's Note

Tomi
Not exactly a Nigerian Tattoo as only certain tribes in Nigeria and Africa gave/give/use/used tribal marks. Although that tradition is rapidly fading, i find it quite interesting. Truth is i'm glad i don't have any and i will never give my children any. I've been fortunate enough to travel and study abroad a good number of times and while i've never really been racially abused or stereotyped i've seen it happen to people. This is not really a poem about racism, it's more about stereotyping on any kind: racial, religious, gender, e.t.c..

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Reviews

wow....that was touching, my fav line "The girl with the Nigerian tattoo"...Thank you

Posted 10 Years Ago


sorry forgot to rate

Posted 11 Years Ago


wow this is a beautiful piece... adding this to my favorites :)

Posted 11 Years Ago


Tomi

11 Years Ago

Thank you dunnia
dunnia

11 Years Ago

your welcome :)
eeeeh!, while Nigeian tatto, while reading this poem, the mental pictures flows vividly in my mind, i had a sense of pity on the young girl, who appreciate not the name. well done.

Posted 11 Years Ago


People fear what they do not understand. Tattoo are important to many cultures in our world. The story was sad. People who speak negative to what they fear. Need to learn silence. Thank you for sharing the powerful story. It was a sad ending.
Coyote

Posted 11 Years Ago


A good observation, well explored in a fine piece of writing. Like it.

Posted 11 Years Ago


When someone births a stereotypical view towards another, the pain is tangible and overwhelming for the recipient.
Excellent, exceptional write.

Posted 11 Years Ago



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Added on January 26, 2013
Last Updated on January 26, 2013

Author

Tomi
Tomi

Nigeria



About
I'm afraid of two things; fear and the illusion of who i might be. I write to escape. Proudly Nigerian. more..

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