I’ve Survived Enough

First, being born as me
Without the choice to accept or decline
A baby girl, to a teenager, lady then woman
I’d have made a handsome man
Someone shoot me.

Post election violence and it’s aftermath
Politics was never a fair game
Boarding school at eight years
Bullied in the name of child’s play
Someone shoot me

Highschool in a place that felt like a volcano
University in a land far away
Toiling for an education, to get a better life
Then I realize I should have been a thug from the get go
Someone shoot me

Unemployment. Losing sanity with every rising sun
Employment. Another battleground painted beautiful
Money, the curse of men as Nyashinski said
From things will get better to the boss is always right
Someone shoot me

Yet, with the mind that has processed all these
I’m supposed to smile at adversity
Show up strong and not give up or show weakness
Who pays me for being so strong
Someone shoot me

I’m going back to bed. Feel free to call me lazy
I’m not showing up for you or me today
I won’t plan, prepare, fight, fix, work, try. Nada
I’ll sit by the window, and sip coffee
Someone shoot me

I’ve survived enough. Known and unknown
Said and unsaid. Seen and unseen
I’ve survived enough
And survivors need names
Mine’s Elizabeth. What’s yours?