Warsan Shire
United Kingdom
Warsan Shire
Female genital mutilation, the contradictions and sometimes cruelty of cultural traditions are tackled in this poem by this courageous and sensual 20-something Somalian poet.
BIOGRAPHY
London-based Somali poet and writer, Warsan Shire is causing a stir on the poetry scene. Born in Ken... More >
Tribe of Woods
I held down my daughter last nightspread her limbs across the forestlaid her out to restcrushed berries across her mouth andgave her my knuckles to chew onI gave my daughter to a manan offering that made my stomach tightwith want, he spread her limbs across the townI prayed she felt something,wriggled underneath him likethe women across the border,I listened out to here hermoanbut I heard nothing.my husband tides himselfinside the wetness of another womanmy marital bed is a cleft chin I lag mytongue across, my body has never feltheat, my back has never arched.I gave my daughter to a boat last nightpressed prayers into her palms andtold her to quiet her tearswomen like us can't afford to be weakand I want different from my grand daughter.my daughter will curse my name in a foriegn hospitalwhere her limp pregnant bodywill be inspected by a bone lipped doctorwho'll ask "what happened to this woman".tell him your mother took ita tribe of women the woodsmena rusted blade the axefolklore and religion,but tell him your mother meant welland promise methat you'll teach my granddaughterthat there is never any shame in want.
