Vanessa Chisakula | Zambia
“Ubuchende bwabaume tabutobe enganda” - A man’s infidelity is not an issue
My mother’s words of wisdom go like
Ubuchende bwabaume tabutobe enganda
For centuries men's infidelity continues to receive countless ululations and praise
As society continues to elevate
These inhumane approaches
Where women are treated like roaches
Simple crawling insects that can be sprayed away
But women are not tire-mending bays for punctured men
Women are not there to nurse men's egos
But are there to rise above these headless chickens and fly like eagles
No woman deserves to be battered
Every woman deserves to be pampered
Not her knuckles plastered
But her body covered
In a warm embrace
She is a rose among thorns
Who owns a throne?
Made from every stone thrown
So dear woman every time you looked at yourself less
You looked at yourself through a broken man
Who served as your broken mirror?