BROKEN PRIDE

I'm nothing more than I am
And less than the beauty you see
I've been robbed of my pride
My honey pot is broken
By the rod of a stranger

Someone help me for i'm a broken clay pot
my wrapper has fallen in the market square
Help me for I do not know where to run to
My world is collapsed in the day light
It's wall is crumbled before my very own eyes

Someone please tell my mother that
My beads have fallen into pieces
The waist beads which stand for dignity
Have been taken from me
And never will be returned

Someone please tell my father that
My breast have been drained of it sweetness
Both have been doused by corrupt lips
And would never produce holy milk
For melons of vinegar is all I have left

Someone please tell my husband to-be
I'm nothing more than I am
And less than the beauty he seeks
Beneath that white veil
Is a shredded beauty

Which glitters with broken smile
Not more than a sear rose
Covered with broken thorns as beauty
Please take me and hold my frail heart with love
For I am a woman with a broken pride.

(c) STANLEY OGUH