1982 Sarita Johnson

A Vessel to

Continue

the Line

Wrapped in her cloth

the young girl walks toward the women she knows

made naked

she lies on the straw mat

legs open

held down

several hands holding her legs

down and wide apart

holding down her shoulders

holding down her hips

on the straw mat

under the hot sun

Seized between a thumb and two fingers

her clitoris

is hacked away

like raw meat from a chicken bone

a small dull blade, the saw

that brings the searing pain

and bloodies the place between her legs

Gut-stunned

she rises as the hands release her

fumbles her cloth around her

and walks away

fire burning between her legs

The young girl just come of age

does not cry out

Ishe will bear the loss of blood

prolonged pain, infections

bring a high bride price to her father

bear many children to her husband

through her scar-hardened opening.

This is excision

Infibulation practised on younger girls is worse.

1982 Audrey Ewart

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