A Shadow of Turning

Black on black.
Hardened by status,
Forgotten the journey from
The aspiring fields to
The hopeful village market,
Standing together, yet apart,
Woman to woman.

White against white.
White of sheer terror,
Where shall I go?
What about the children?
A refugee in my own home,
A veil shielding me from my future,
Woman to woman.

Red and power.
Of childbirth and hope,
Of violence and loss.
Torn asunder yet still standing,
I will build.
Woman to woman.

This flickering flame, will it hold?
I will rebuild,
Woman to woman,
On this green stead.

(Weaving alongside M. Mohammedali Red, P. Muthoni The Politics of Demolition, W. Mwangi When Women Meet)