4am

Uchechi Onyenkpa

it’s 4am and Uncle comes into her room a looming monster in the darkgrabbing unto her before she reacts. Like a predator on its prey, like a lion does meat, the silent screams, the intertwining of feet. the rapid thud in her chest reminds her she’s awake, she asks herself if, this really is her fate. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone don’t bother, no-one will believe you,, she was subject to his aggression, what the hell was she to do ? the taste of sweat mingled with his sense of power, she wondered where God was at her loneliest hour.

& solemnly did her night unfold, an evil so so cold, and she walked through life- her story untold of what happened- when she was 6 years old.