𝐓he 𝐑iver 𝐅lows 𝐀gain
By Ekaete Ekop
IT was a stagnant stream;
Debris, junk and garbage
Clogged its flow,
Turned movement into stillness
Yes this human river
That had turned into a cesspool
Hemmed in on each side
By limits created by painful memories
The water contaminated by suffering and shock.
It was the river of humanness
These women who gathered
And at last revealed their insides
Stories of pregnancy and childbirth
Never before brought to light.
They told stories of painful births
Of zero support from spouses
Of resentment from families
Of the pain of losing a baby.
They shared personal experiences
Of negligence, carelessness, insensitivity
Of shame for birthing the “wrong” gender
Of blame for birthing the “wrong” way;
Of taking the “easy” way out.
Of prophecies of death
Of years of infertility
Of isolation and confusion
Of depression and near-death realities.
The garbage was dredged out.
And as they spoke
The were healed and healed each other
The river began to flow again
Within them, among them, around them.
A joyous relief, a new start.
Pregnancy – a joy, a pain, a marvel
Childbirth – a fulfilment, a completion, a mystery
Why do we make a competition out of nothing?
Every experience, every woman’s story
Earns a trophy.
Take your flowers, Warriors!
Wear your crowns, Valiant Souls!
The universe is awestruck at what you bring to being.
Without you, the end would be yesterday.
You are all shades of heroic and admirable!
* Dr. Ekop wrote this poem in honour of all the participants of the series: ‘Untold Stories of Pregnancy and Childbirth’ on the 7th (last session) on Thursday, August 4, 2024
