The Definition of She
She
African Skies
She
‘She’ is defined by what she is not allowed
What
What she is not allowed to inhabit
She is not allowed to inhabit a calling
A calling does not stop the cat-calling
She
Is constantly asked how she made this entrance
How she arrived here
‘You are not welcome’
She
Is not made welcome
She is not allowed to inhabit seats of power
Power denies her her own power
Power makes her powerless
Brute force disempowers her
She is not allowed to inhabit her body
Her body is always danger
Her body is always dangerous
Her body is always in danger
Of being called temptation
Of subjugation
Of invasion
So sometimes she inhabits the silence
Sometimes she inhabits the rage
For she
She is not allowed her tears
But sometimes tongue-tied tears become rushing rivers
Drowning her
And she
She is not allowed her blood
But blood burns becomes brimstone
Fire
Fire rises
Watch out
She
She is here
She is danger
She is dangerous
Because she is not allowed.
Originally published at folukeafrica.com on August 14, 2017.
In hope. In love. In solidarity. In Power. Forever