Give Me Back Myself Poem by ifedayo oshin

“Underdeveloped, Developing
Third world, IMF field of play
Debt burdened, disease ridden”
How dare you brand me
And call me names?
Names my fathers never called me
Give me back myself
Un ravaged, unraped
Unscrambled, unpartitioned
Lusty, strong and healthy self
Pristine, pure virgin body
Give me my hands uncallused by sugarcane plantations
My unbended back
From centuries of unpaid labor
Oiling the wheel of industrial revolution
Give my youth
My proud and black youth
Before your wanton lust and violent rape
Give me back myself
Before you took me unconsented
Give back myself
“Massa and missus