DOWN IN THE MOUTH
SHE CRIED
I AM REALLY TIRED OF
COMING TO THIS HOSPITAL
THE DRUGS MAKE ME WEAK AND SLEEPY
MY CLASS MATES LAUGH AT ME BECAUSE OF THE WAY I DOZE OFF IN
CLASS
I TRY HARD TO BE AWAKE YOU KNOW, BUT THE DRUGS
THE DRUGS I TAKE ARE TOO MANY AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DROWSINESS
THE DOCTOR SAID I SHOULD TAKE A LOT OF WATER SO AS TO AID MY
JOINTS
MY ROOM MATES SCOFF AT ME TOO BECAUSE I WET THE BED EVERY
NIGHT.
MY THIGHS, WILL THEY EVER BE FAT?
MY PALE EYES WORRIES ME, WILL IT EVER BE NORMAL AGAIN?
I LOVE THE WAY YOUR CLOTHES LOOKS ON YOU
MINE WOULD JUST NEVER FIT ME THIS WAY
THERE IS A LOT TO HIDE UNDER MY CLOTHES
MY BELLY, MY CHEST AND MY ANKLES.
YOU SEE ALL THE SCARS ON MY SKIN?
THEY ARE FROM THE INJECTIONS AND DRIPS I HAVE BEEN TAKING
THE INJECTIONS DON’T HURT ANYMORE, THE PILLS HURT MORE
I HEARD GOD DIDN’T DO THIS TO ME BUT MUM AND DAD
DO THEY HATE ME THAT MUCH TO BRING ME THIS AGONY?
I CAN NOT PLAY HIDE AND SEEK WITH MY FRIENDS, THEY CALL ME FEEBLE.
IS THIS MY LIFE OR ANOTHER’S?
THE THOUGHT THAT I WILL BE NO MORE VERY SOON MAKES ME SCARED
I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG I WILL BE HERE ALONE
DAD IS IN HIS GRAVE NOW AND MUM IS TIRED OF TAKING CARE OF
ME
THAT IS WHY THEY KEPT ME HERE WITH YOU
CAN YOU, WILL YOU BE MY GUARDIAN?
THIS SICKLE CELL IS TAKING MY LIFE.
AS STREAMING TEARS ROLLED DOWN MY CHEEK
I GAVE HER A WARM HUG AND WHISPERED INTO HER EARS
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?
Onyeneke Obiageli Stella says "please know your genotype"
