{Group poem 27: Female Genital Mutilation}: Mabsud A

Oh young daughters of the world

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

So innocent and youthful you were

With your big brown eyes, gleaming with hope and potential

Just to be drowned by the ignorance of our mothers and arrogance of our fathers

Sweet mother said you'd be pure and wanted by every men

Protective father pledged to only give your hand to the highest bidder but only if they sliced away your womanhood

Your naive mind didn't know any better and you jolted at the opportunity to be more womanly. Or to be perceived highly.

Oh young daughters of the world

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

Promising you jewels and gold in exchange for your unique flower

But in reality, you only received pain and neglect

Complications and infections, you didn't know of

Something your small mind couldn’t grasp since you barely knew your own anatomy

Oh young daughters of the world

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

But I can only fathom how lonely you must have felt

As though you were a figment in this world and not a human

Or when your cries were muffled by screams and ululation of the joyous women of the village

And how mother said to wipe your tears and smile because today was your day

They all claimed you were flawless and immaculate now supposing you were filth before

Oh young daughters of the world,

I apologize if you ever felt as though you were a vehicle instead of a woman,

To only conceive precious daughters in a world where they'll only gain status and respect by carving out the blessing God gave them

Oh young daughters of the world,

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

But please do not hold any grudges upon our mothers. For they knew no better.

Since they've been deprived of their right to be loved and feel loved just like you.

Oh young daughters of the world

How I yearn to hold you in my treacherous arms and wipe away your tears

Or just feel half your pain when the blade disfigured your beautiful body

Forgive me if you ever felt as though I betrayed you or forgot about you

Oh young daughters of the world,

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

Forgive the men of your family, for they were only repeating tradition as they say

Not knowing the pain and suffering their wives and sisters felt

Forgive the men of the world even though their insecurities was the cause of your impairment

Oh young daughters of the world,

Do you ever think how different your life could have been if your flower wasn't uprooted?

Would you love your husband more? Would you feel more womanly? Would you feel complete? Or would you have been promiscuous and proving these small minded individual's hypothesis behind this horrendous act true?

Oh young daughters of the world,

I apologize for the harm our forefathers casted upon you

And I hope one day your precious daughters will be loved and feel love without having to trade their womanhood, their flower, their sexuality just to be perceived holy and clean.

Mabsud A

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