Written by: Admin_SheEvo
AfroWomenPoetry founded by Antonella Sinopoli narrates the stories of African women through poetry moving from country to country across Sub Saharan Africa. In collaboration with AfroWomenPoetry, SheEvolves invites you into the world of Ghana’s female poets
Poem by Mariska Araba Taylor Darko
A Beating For Love
Your fist pounded my face
In shock I stood there
Not moving, not screaming
The first time it happened
You said you beat me because you loved me
You put the blame on me
I don’t remember doing wrong
Your gambling and drinking
Your womanising and flirting
Your problems and woes
Were all my fault
And you said you beat me because you loved me
I asked you why you did this
“You made me do it“ you said
“I have to correct you my love”
“I love you, that’s why I beat you”
I never knew love was like this
Maybe no one ever told me
I thought love was loving and caring
Laughter and happiness
Not this fear and a beating for love
I grew old in my heart
My love turned to fear and hate
I lived only in dread of that fist in my face
Why didn’t I go. Why?
The shame of facing the world
to tell the truth
Because I loved you
Because you treatened to me
And you said you loved me that’s why you beat me
I cried myself to sleep, silently
So you wouldn’t hear in case
I got another fist in my face
Is this love?
A fist in the face?
I must have dreamt the other love
The movie star love
The storybook love
What have I done to deserve this?
This loving fist in my face
The hand that beats me caresses me
I can’t move away
I can’t say what’s in my heart
No one must know my shame
I lay there beaten and dead inside
Holding on to you not in love but in fear
While dreading the morning
because I will get another fist in my face
You’ll ask me and I shadow
“Are you awake?”
You’ll whisper between the kisses
“I beat you because I love you”
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