The 8th of March is World Women’s International Day, to honour it, our very own Mfungelwa Boikanyo Sithole, penned down this amazing poem in dedication to all Women. In his own words, “This piece is based on true stories of hardships faced by women. This piece is dedicated to those that have been through hell’s fires, those who are still going through fires and are still standing strong. To borrow from Makhafula Vilakazi to them, “Keep On Keeping On”.
The Gardem of Womanhood
All we need is a little of sunshine and water to blossom
Fertilizer makes us grow strong
We grow beautifully with colours
We are the perfume to your air
We have been instructed to be everything besides ourselves
Trim your branches, they have grown too big
Lighten your load, you have too much baggage
You are too green, tone down to yellow
Our bodies have become centres of shame
We had our flowers picked without our consent
We had our roots pulled out hence we don’t grow
We grew thorns to guide against pain
We have forsaken beauty as it is seen as weakness
Leaving us looking all kinds of confused, conflicted
Craving for attention, trying to be fine!
We had to battle with dark days, where the sun was a no show.
Depression seems like the only true friend as it never leaves.
Our backs are bent, tired and
Broken from the weight (baggage) we carry.
We carry seeds that blossom months later
We carry them until they can put their leg to the ground
We are full-time employed in the labour of love. But with no pay.
We have been planting seeds here!
Then prayed they don’t grow bitter
While they drink from their mother’s roots
Where memories of pain and suffering live
They have radical wombs
Shooting worriers into existence
Raising entire armies
Feeding them information
Leaving them with inspiration
Even after their gardens have been ruined, they continue to grow:
Strong,
Tall,
And Beautiful
They are women.
By Mfungelwa Boikanyo Sithole
awakenedmindsblog 
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