I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM

I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM

(Hidden pieces of stories)

I have been a victim of poverty

Living on the street with my emaciated pale skin

I hustle for no gains

I had survived on 1 square meal a day,

Sometimes nothing.

I had begged for alms and was insulted 

So now I leave in an uncompleted building

with my two black trousers and 5 faded shirts.

People think I am mad, but I’m very sound

This was not my life, but a misfortune has caused this

I hope to get out from this soon.

I was a victim.

I have been a victim of public ridicules

I have been despised, pushed away,

Blamed for crimes I didn’t commit,

Cheated on my gains from my toils

But society looked unconcerned

I couldn’t speak for fear of losing my job

I couldn’t protest because it’s against company’s regulations

I was a victim.

I have been a victim of racism

They looked at my skin and called me monkey

I was abused and called names

I was segregated and treated like an animal

I was blamed for diseases I knew nothing about

I found my voice, but they won’t let me speak

Because they had their knees on my neck

I couldn’t breathe but no one cared  

I felt rejected and broken

The laws look fragile but when I committed it stood rigid

Am I not human? 

Am I not having a blood group like the other colors?

My life matters too.

I have been a victim of rape

I was dissolute and distressed

Hurt and broken in the soul

I was shown to the public but not for a good reason 

Fear engulfed me not to speak or else I would lose my life. 

I lost my dignity and felt emptied 

Justice wasn’t forthcoming 

What could be the reason? Money? 

Thought of suicide crept by

I was lonely and nearly gave in

But I was saved by something I didn’t know

I was a victim.

I have been a victim of love

Love I thought was never ending

When I couldn’t wait to hear the voice that changes my mood

When I was entertained on the fun-filled days

When I was enjoying the romantic moment and gestures

When I was lost in the touches that gave shivers and soft moans,

I never knew it was going to end.

All too soon one called for a quit.

Tears crushed down my cheeks

Heart pumped so fast that —

A heat equivalence of molten magma was felt within

Velic closure caused my voice to freeze as if in curfew

Sleepless night and echoes of pain filled my existence

I was completely broken.

I pray the next being won’t suffer from the new me

I was a victim.

By: Isaac Cobbinah

(Ink of De_Governor)