I am so candid

Enough! Of taking from us forcefully Enough! Of trying to silence us Enough! Of trying to make us the victims Enough of turning the tables when we cry out. When we walk the streets at night We have to look over our shoulder When we are in our hotel rooms We have to be wary of intruders When we voice out We are silenced forcefully. Enough of raping us women! Enough of sexist comments! Enough of lecherous lecturers! Enough of wolves in sheep clothing! Enough of shaming the victim. We are tired of being intimidated to silence We are tired of feeling unsafe where we should be safe We are tired of second guessing ourselves We are tired of being misunderstood We are tired of a system that enables you We are tired of being RAPED!!! My thoughts are all over the place and I know I had to express myself in the best way I know how to. My heart is heavy and the pain of what we go through cannot be ignored any longer. I sincerely hope our voices will continue to ...

Times have changed Tide has turned Corona disrupted The semblance of order we had. Its Sunday Seems like every other day now Grandma is not cooking her signature jollof Sunday special. Probably because she cooked it the day before. Its Sunday Grandpa is sending broadcasts He hasn't been to church in a while. I miss seeing him in his white garments Returning by 6pm. Its Sunday Its 9am We are not in a frenzy, Hurrying one another No last minute preparations. We are gathered in front of the laptop Streaming Daddy G.O live Baba Adeboye with the word for the season. Gods' servant, who serves us too, Gods' word undiluted and pure. Its Sunday No sunday finery. No visitors. It's like every other day, It's our new normal.

Every Saturday Even on Sunday I think of that day A day of pain, And unbearable grief. And hollowness I lost a dear one. One of the realest friends I have. Always holding my hand Advising me as a sage would. Praying over me like a mother. When pain overwhelmed me When grief overshadowed me When I questioned God why. I tried to understand. I couldn't fathom it. She loved God, was hopeful about her future. We had plans. She was young It wasn't time She wanted to get married, have kids. She has loved ones. She worshipped God with her whole being. Like with tears running down her face, and a smile on her face and speech that could only be a result of a deep communion with God. Her presence calmed me. Her words uplifting. Covering me. A shield by exercising faith and praying. I am consoled because she has gone to rest. I smile because she would now worship God till eternity. I have hope because we will see ourselves again someday in Heaven. I a...

And there was light. Light when a cure for the pandemic is found. Light when isolation no longer exists Light when social distancing becomes a thing of the past. Light when our normal returns to normal.   Light when our security forces did their jobs Light when the police is actually our friend. Light when the youths are employed Light when vocations are promoted Light when one million boys are rehabilitated   Light when you can move around at 6pm, Without fear of your phone being snatched. Light when you can sleep all night, Without the noise of vigilantes whitsles Light when our houses are not covered in soot From burning tyres.   The dark is dark We crave Light. Written by Temilade Adu.

All day sharpening cutlasses Torchlights ready after the day charge, alas Night is here The law is there And we are outside There is law If handicapped, forgive Dark days are not for the weak Forgiveness is not for the meak  The system left you hanging Yes, hanging without a dime While you watch it amass 'your entitlement' Your reason to go on a rampage. Cutlass ready, torchlight beaming  The law lay like a log when the dark is on the run Million footsteps of boys on rampage But we are ready Knock knock! Who's there? Your neighbour. It's time for the watch. Your neighbourhood needs you Your family needs you You. Need. You. The dark is not for the weak Let there be LIGHT... This poem was written by my friend Omotayo Oladipupo. You should follow her on IG @t.rhanco I wrote a follow up for this. It's a hopeful piece.