FGM POEM FROM SOMALIA
By Abdi-Noor H. Mohamed
Birth of a baby must be a blessing event
But mine was nothing short of
a curse
Daddy's face didn't shine. Drums didn't make noise
No shots were
fired. No ceremony was held
The new born was me. I am a girl
In my
culture, gender counts most.
A girl is not as welcome as a baby boy
Raising camel in the rangeland
is family's highest priority
They
believe a girl has no hands for that
Harsh combat against the enemies
is
family's highest priority
They believe a girl has no heart for
that
Reconciliation in the aftermath of a clash
is family's highest
priority
They believe a girl has no head for that
At five I had to face
the worst
A knife cut across my genitals
A midwife circumcised me
Stitched me. Infibulated me
Where I used to have a clit
I have a
black scar now
Why inflict me with this pain?
This real Pain of
primitive cultures
In tears I am, at every stage of my life
Mom and Dad,
I'm I not a daughter?
Dear Brother, I'm I not a sister?
Dear mankind,
wherever you are
I'm I not a human being?
Tears, Tears, Tears
####