We were silent when she complained
of that uncle who always liked to brush himself
against her young unrounded breast

We were silent when she complained
about those school boys who always
used mirrors in class to peer into her panties

We were silent when she complained of that
Sunday school teacher who always like to sit her
on his laps, telling her to fondle his penis

We were silent when she complained about that
class teacher who always sent her to go
and drop his notebook at his staff quarter's room

We were silent when she told us in silent sobs
about that street boy who always liked
to tease her about her swinging hips

We were silent when she complained of that
pastor who always fondled her breast anytime
she went for counselling

We were silent when she told us of that new 'corper'
who never cease to look at her seductively while
in class

We were silent when she started keeping a boyfriend
to steer away those licentious me
who lurked in wait for her

We were silent when she started wearing bumshot to school so as to blend with his peers
and to belong to youthful fraternity

We were silent when she held a phone
costly enough to pay her fees for two sessions
saying she is now a big girl

We were silent when we saw those green indicators
to youthful vanities
thinking she was coming of age

Now she has been laid
now she has been raped

Now she hates men
And now we give her names
and I ask, who is to blame?
Are we cursed or we are the cause?