I Saw that Child Again Today by Iyetade Verity Soyinka (c) 2013
I saw that child again today.
She was battered, and bruised, and bloody.
Holes gouged in her,
Tears of loss.
I saw that child again today.
And instead of screaming at her, "please die!"
Instead of pleading with her, to let me forget her.
Instead of turning my back on her,
And pretending not to remember,
I embraced her.
And she embraced me back.
And I became her,
And she became me.
She is no more,
And yet she lives,
In me.
As part of I.
I saw that child again,
And the sorrow of loss,
Has become the sweetness of -
Becoming whole.
I saw that child again today.
She loves me very much,
And I love her too.
She is me.
- by Iyetade Verity Soyinka (c) 2013
Published in Stars Fill my Skies, edited by Peyi Soyinka-Airewele, 2013
A professor of politics at Ithaca College NY, a minister at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, an advocate for embattled women and children, and for victims of abuse and injustice. I'm honored to lead Verity CNet working alongside women of faith, to serve on the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, and on the teaching team of another local church in Ithaca. I'm blessed to walk alongside Aloja, my forever life partner for 30 plus years now, and together to journey through life with our riotous clan of three plus one: Olutale and Connor, Oseoba and Yolore. Catch me dancing down the streets at midnight to Sinach, Phil Driscoll, and other amazing artistes.
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