A blood to bed

    Performing my morning rituals;

  In an African home   

  A duty for every African child;

  sweeping the surrounding

  as a teenager;

  a innocent teenager

  My mother sitting outside  

  preparing for the market  

  suddenly approached;

  approached by shock  

  seeing a blood;

  a blood on my skirt;

  mother happy  

  saying;

 “ You are a woman now”

  Two nights approached ;

  a suitor old ;

  enough to be my father

  with yams and cassavas;

  plantains and goats  

  Kegs of palm wines 

  Shocked to hear;

  He wants my hand in marriage

  Out of foolishness;

  my mother accepts   

  Now sold out;

 Sold out to a chief;

 My first night;

 My worst night  

 He forced me

 From blood to bed