Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy.

Murdered in cold blood by your own father.

The first man who was meant to love you unconditionally, 

But who, instead, gave you nothing but pain and suffering. 

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

Not only because you had your youth snatched away, 

But because you remind us of the harsh reality, 

How our lives can be taken away from us within an instance, 

And how the men who supposedly love us, hurt us instead. 

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy, 

We hope that you are resting easy, 

Finally able to attain the freedom you craved, 

And the autonomy that you never knew of. 

Your ‘crime’ was wanting to live your own life, 

And for that, you wrongfully paid such a heavy price. 

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

Everyone on this earth could stand in your graceful memory, 

But that would never be enough. 

God himself could come down to directly apologise to you, 

But even that would fall short. 

There’s nothing anyone could ever do to make it up to you.

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

We’re so sorry that the world let you down in that way. 

That the people who brought you here, 

Could even dare to imagine doing something so bad.  

You were meant to be their beautiful daughter, 

The light of their eyes, and the peace of their soul,

So how did you suddenly become a burden to them? 

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

They want to bury every ounce of your existence, 

And desperately want you to be forgotten,

They want the rest of us to remain silent, 

But the more they try to quieten us down, 

The louder I’ll scream. 

I’ll scream so loud until no girl is ever murdered,

Brutally, callously, and with no remorse.  

My sisters and I are all, but one in body and soul, 

How did they ever think I would sit there silently,

When you are harmed?

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

We won’t let your life go to ruins. 

You’re not just a number on the records, 

But a human being who had so much to live for. 

I promise to fight for you,

And every other girl in your position, 

Who know nothing, but to suffer in complete silence. 

 

Your memory lives on, and we will cherish your legacy. 

We will break this cycle of generational abuse together, 

Because our women deserve better, 

 

For they are strong, powerful and resilient. 

 Published 27-07-2022

Category: Featured Articles