I
wrap myself around the curvaceous bodies of women all over Africa
I
am the perfect nightdress on those hot African nights
The
ideal attire for household chores
I
secure babies happily on their mother’s backs
Am
the perfect gift for new bride and new mother alike
Armed
with proverbs, I am vehicle for communication between women
I
exist for the comfort and convenience of a woman
But
no no no make no mistake …
I
am not here to please a man
And
I certainly am not a seductress
Please
don’t use me as an excuse to rape
Don’t
hide behind me when you choose to abuse
You
see
That’s
what he said my Malume
The
man who called himself my daddy’s best friend
Shared
a cell with him on [Robben] Island for ten whole years
He
said I wanted it
That
my khanga said it
That
with it I lured him to my bed
That
with it I want you is what I said
But
what about the NO I uttered with my mouth
Not
once but twice
And
the please no I said with my body
What
about the tear that ran down my face as I lay stiff with shock
In
what sick world is that sex
In
what sick world is that consent
The
same world where the rapist becomes the victim
The
same world where I become the bitch that must burn
The
same world where I am forced into exile because I spoke out?
This
is NOT my world
I
reject that world
My
world is a world where fathers protect and don’t rape
My
world is a world where a woman can speak out
Without
fear for her safety
My
world is a world where no one, but no one is above the law
My
world is a world where sex is pleasurable not painful
