My trauma is not my own
It transcends all regions, states, borders, cultures and languages
My pain is in no way unique
I’ve discovered that it’s shared by millions
Across all ages and genders
Somehow we all seem to have met the same end
You see, my body is not my own
And quite frankly, I don’t think it ever belonged to me
This vessel has been abused and misused
All of its predecessors have left a hefty mark
The tears and full body shakes
The restless nights and upset stomachs
The crawling, itchy sensation that consumes my skin
The migraines and stars that flicker across my eyes
The breath leaving my lungs and the struggle to reach my inhaler
I guess this life is not my own
And I don’t really know why I exist
Or why this life must be filled with pain
I never consented to this pain
Yet, I still attempt to take responsibility
Crafting countless narratives of how I could have avoided this
How 8 year old, 18 year old, and 19 year old me could’ve fought harder
These burdens are taking a toll on me
A toll I’m afraid I can no longer afford
Elikem’s Corner, a series of poems from our Editor-In-Chief, Elikem Thee Poet. These poems give insight to a piece of her world; her own lived experiences and the experiences of people around her.
