The neighbor’s cat ate my essence.

The sun beat hungrily
As if her heartbeat
Had the same anxiety as mine.

Or perhaps she too
Was parched of love
On the brinks of dehydration.

I remember that day clearly
And so vividly,
It felt like judgment day
Came prematurely
In the form of old auntie Muhubo

She came
Just like Xawa came
Just like Halima came
Just like you’ll come I am sure
Destined to carry a barbaric inclination
You call tradition

Initiate into covenant, a sisterhood
I never pledge for

A season nomadic surgeon
Without proper tools and education
Is what she was

A nationalist,
Religious governing entity
Is who she thought she was?

A snip here
A tug there
A careless toss
And it was all over

And that’s the day
The neighbor’s cat ate my essence.

Hayat Magan
Copyright © 2010