Do you know why I hold you the way I do?
It’s because it terrifies me—the depth, the pull. I grip too tightly, caught in the fear of losing you. You’ve never felt this before, and neither have I. You pull my strings, wear me out, and I let you because I’m scared.
Scared of what it means to love you.
The day we dreaded, the one we refused to speak of, has come. The door is locked, the keys hidden deep within me, guarded and untouchable until I say otherwise. And yet, here we are.
Do you know why I’m here?
Why it feels like I want you now, like nothing and no one else exists in this cold, gothic world? In a time where people play gods and forget the one true God, I see what the world does to women like you.
I’ve watched girls stand before mirrors, hollow and lost. They stare, searching for fragments of the night before, unable to recall what happened but left with lingering pain—a gnawing, violating sensation in their bodies.
They whisper, “Something happened, but I don’t know what, or who, or when.”
I’m scared for them, but even more for you. I fear what the world could do to your spirit, your strength. And yet, I don’t mean that kind of strength—the kind that comes from surviving endless breaking.
You’re like pottery, fragile yet taped together, scars tracing every edge. One more crack and I worry you might shatter.
I cry for you.
Tears of sadness. Tears of hope. Prayers sent up like incense. I wish the world could see you as you are—a delicate flower meant to be nurtured and cared for, given the space to bloom as you were meant to.
Sisi Eko.
I remember your dreams, so grand they made my head spin. Sometimes, I’d roll my eyes and call you delusional, but in secret, I admired you. You were my hero—you still are.
No storm can change that.
The world may throw stones, break you, and test your resolve, but I see the light within you. You are my sister, my friend, my mother. You are every woman out there with a dream.
The world will try to hinder you, to break you into pieces.
But still, you rise.
Still, you shine, Sisi.
Ayinke. Awero. Omo Wura. Asabi.
You are golden. You are more than this.
Sisi Eko.
Dedicated to my beautiful sister, "‘Oluwadamilola Elizabeth’ - My Golden Girl 🥰😘
Narrative
Disclaimer: I am neither a feminist nor an advocate for society's debates about male and female equality, in the eyes of creation; it does not exist. I am a mouthpiece to the good gospel; I will write, but you’d quote my words at the risk of your heart being changed, your soul saved. Hey! You might even become a believer, yet it remains your choice.
My words are not crafted to feed egos, entertain worldly illusions, or echo unproven motivational mantras. I will do this one thing and only it: find every way possible to feed you the good word.
In Sisi Eko, I offer my sentiment on how society views women from an objective standpoint. Not so much is expected of her, or dismissing expectations altogether. We must, however, acknowledge women’s inherent value, resilience, and God-given purpose.
Used Words & Terms
Gnawing: persistently worrying
Gothic: something that is characterized by mystery, horror, and gloom — especially in literature
“Something happened, but I don’t know what, or who, or when”: speaks about rape