Frightened by my mother’s screams…
Barely awake
They grab me
Force me down
Rip my panties
His accomplices hold my hands
Spread my legs and gag me
The rebel leader drops his pants
With a sinister smile
I hear mother;
Screaming
Soliciting
Praying
He rapes me with dignity and jollity
Steals my innocence, tears me apart
Violates me
Physically, emotionally and spiritually
I become deaf to my mother’s appeals
Blind to my surroundings
My frame quivers
Like taut strings strummed
Silent tears embrace my cheeks
Pain numbs me
And I seek redemption from death
Hallow me world, swallow me
These silent teardrops tell a story
Of a living soul murdered at 8
Of the pain swallowed in silence
Of anger at phalluses addicted to rape
My silent teardrops
Carry words I cannot converse
Written by: Jacqueline Hlongwane
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
