Our women have left home...

What does it really mean? I mean, what does it mean for women to have it all? I don't know why there is a debate around this at all. But I do know that we need a balance between what is and what ought to be. Women empowerment must not leave a backlash on our society. Trying to fill a gap must not create a vacuum on another end. But yes, empowering girls and women is very important. So is empowering boys and men. And yes, I'm not a feminist :-)

I recently stumbled on this poem (below)- it was one of the collections published in "In Days to Come" in 2004. I still remember telling a friend many years ago that I wrote the poem, apologizing in advance because I know I'm one of those women who would leave home :-) But those were just gibberish of a teenage girl, excited about the adventure of youth and adulthood. Looking forward I ask, do I really want to have it all? Can we really have it all? What does it mean to have it all?

Enjoy the poem! Don't bite me!!

Our Women Have Left Home (Inspired by JP Clark's The wives' revolt)
The regular rhythm of pestle
cease to echo in our neighbourhood
the salivating aroma of home-made soup
is now being replaced by imported tin.

There is a reduced rate of new-borns
and the older ones only satisfy themselves
with the warmth the old nannies can offer.

So many changes have taken place
in this little county we call home
Mothers have long been called out
to fight for political seat among our fathers.

Here is the cry from Africa,
our women are leaving home for politics.
They are now seen in old political boots
roaming and parading the streets
and showing off their woman-ego and political ambition

Let politics feel the woman
Let the wold take a new turn
for the woman is about to rule the world
in her motherly nature and gift.
Hurray to womanhood!

But...
Hear the children and fathers cry
our women have left home for politics
who will take care of the woman's role
in their individually appointed home?

Do not fear when you begin to see
men with babies tied behind their backs
and basket laid unceremoniously on their head
walking around the market place
purchasing foodstuff with a rehearsed effort.

Voices are raised...
arguing voices are raised in every home-
you can't trade your motherly duty
for some bag of political rubbish!


Culled from "In Days to Come," page 5-6 (c) Jennifer Ehdiamem 2004.