UDO

 

 

 

　

UDO

(means 'peace' in Nigeria)

What is in a name?

Sometimes it is a story.

Sometimes it is just a dream.

~~~~~

Your story began,

as many stories do these days,

"The men came and they...

burned my village-

raped my girls-

killed my husband-

cut off my breasts.

I ran away-

through the bush-

found a ship-

crossed the sea-

and then they put me in here..."

~~~~~

I read your story,

then had to put the book down-

especially when I could see

the woman with no name,

a woman who had no papers

to prove she was real,

dangling from the rafters,

chain gripping her neck

in a breathless embrace;

her feet swaying

showing her nakedness,

her paperless demise.

You told how she peed herself at the end.

Her once life a liquid puddle on the floor.

And I couldn't read anymore,

her image burned too brightly.

Even tears could not ease the realization

the cold-chained grip

was more loving

than living her life,

than being forced to return home,

facing the way every story began-

"the men came and they..."

~~~~~

Your story didn't stop there,

it refused to be quiet

and held me close,

as page after page

revealed more of your life;

made me question my humanity.

~~~~~

You gave me your secret,

whispered it in my ear

and asked,

"would you cut off your finger

for the likes of me"?

"Would you dowse the flames of oppression

with the redness of your blood?"

"Would you fall on the enemies sword,

let it rip out your heart"?

"Would you give your all to change the world"?

"Would you, would you?"

~~~~~

You gave me your secret,

whispered it in my ear...

You gave me your name.

You gave me your story

and more, you gave me

a dream, a reason to live.

~~redzone 1.18.2011

　

Author's Note

Wrote this poem after read a book by Chris Cleeve called "Little Bee". I believe it was also made into a movie.. But this is a book, fiction, but based on real life happenings. I recommend it, but it is also not an easy read. I did have to put it down a few times thinking about what was happening..

Thanks for reading...

Reviews

[Frieda P]

An extremely difficult read, injustice really gets to me, but the atrocities these people have had to endure is beyond comprehension. To live and breathe to be able to even tell a story such as this is a miracle and speaks to the human spirit, albeit the evil spirits are also at play here. Compelling and profound read curt, this one is going to stay with me for a long, long time.

[redzone]

thanks Frieda, I really liked writing this poem, thought it came out powerfully and gave the story it's due... don't always feel this way about what I write... your comment means muchly to me Frieda

[redflutterby]

Powerful words here Redzone.... I haven't read the book but I will. The atrocities committed against women and children in the name of war or government oppression are sickening to say the least. It happens every day in the world but we in our cozy freedom often don't realize it. The weakest pay the biggest price for the brutality of men. (no disrespect meant towards men in general).

[redzone]

Red, while it is not literally in men's genes, there are many times I feel like I am a sub species of humans.. we live in the house of Tony Soprano, (metaphorically speaking) enjoy the wealth and good life but we don't really want to know where it comes from... for those of us who do know and have an ounce of heart do act to bring this to an end...

thanks Red for your great comment. oh yes and thanks for the tarp.. ;0)

[redflutterby]

Hahaha...never know when you will need it hun!! And youre welcome!! ;-)

[Pryde Foltz]

Bravo, redzone. To so many war is a video game where warriors prove they are brave and strong … war is a hell where everyone is either terrified and tortured or lost in a frenzy of hate and anger.

UDO UDO UDO

[redzone]

thanks Pryde.. I really liked the book and actually liked this poem.