STOLEN LIVES

I am Ajoke...

The child that was cared for by all

The one that was looked upon as love

Born with a thousand silver spoons

In my parent's eyes, I was the apple

But I was assaulted

Raped by strangers, my virginity was collected

Now regret and bitterness fill my heart

I should not have gone out that fateful night

They say I've become a harlot

But is it really my fault?

Circumstances defined who I am

And I choose that it continues like that.

I am Iyanda...

They say I have a great destiny

For my name means to be set apart.

But I see no path to my destiny,

I am from a race of the worst of paupers.

My parents struggled

And I soon found myself in school.

But I was forced into a cult,

And I was expelled as soon as I was caught.

I encouraged my heart that failed,

Told myself to get on the feet again.

Now I've become a success,

For I didn't stop where I was defeated.

We are victims...

Circumstances played a part in what we became,

But it mostly depended on what we chose.

She chose to live her life a waste

I chose to change mine in spite of my woes

Life happened to us the way it did

And now we cannot change our pasts.

But we can decide not to hold on to it

And change our future to make it count.

We each saw no other way,

Holding on to our various lies.

This is our tale,

Victims of our stolen lives.

- Korede Omotolola.

13/01/2018.