Unwed Girl Child Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Caking together, layers of ignorance, striking a match
and watching freedom of deliverance rise above us in
smoke.
Always striving to outdo authority, end up instead
without any dignity.
Livelihood taken away and strapped onto another, while
children lie awake, hungry in bed.
No testimonies to enlighten or bring knowledge, keeping
instead, illiterate women to raise a child.
Without an education a child will grow up to be exactly
like their own unwed mothers.
Of if boys - will turn child girls into young mothers
before their time.