Poem: Say "No" To Rape

For years we were incarcerated
We lived in prisons
Prisons of another's creation
The torment was huge
That shame of speaking up
The picture never left us

They slide in like a thief
Took away our dignity
Left us miserable and helpless
Yet their walk out streets
Oh "Yes", "There Was A Country"

The memory lingers
Try as we may
To come forth and share
That justice be served
For the fear of being ostracized
And being misunderstood
We held back

They blame my shorts
Where is their moral?
They question my claim
With the aim to dissuade
Suppressing our voice
They too share the shame

The sin will be visited
To their generation yet unborn
You are not alone
Men too get raped
I have been there
A near rape situation

What if I made moves?
Would you reject me?
What If I shouted?
Who would believe you?
The power of a woman
But not all men are weak

For a moment I died
Even though it passed
The memory lingers
Let's talk about sex
In schools and altars
That we may empower them
Our next generation
No means No
Not initial "Gra gra"

Let's teach them signals
That they may be wise
Astute at Interpreting signs
Paedophies are on the prowl
Rapists having a filled day
In a weak judicial system
Let us talk the talk

They will hear it anyway
Best it be from you
That's why you are a parent
Their teacher and mentor
Let's loud it
Like the gong aloud
In our village square

Sooner than we think
We will use their testicles
As burnt offerings to the gods
For this is a heinous crime
A crime against humanity

Wake up! Speak up! Brave up!
It is the first step
To a journey to freedom
Lest we continue to live
In a new prison
Of our our own creation
Say "No" to rape

Babatunde Raimi (Author/Life Coach/Poet)