Beneath Your Foot Poem by Rubaba Mmahajia Rahma Sabtiu

Listen! Listen! Listen!
Listen to my words
And not to my voice
For silvery is my voice
But golden are my words
Listen Oh you who have ears!
Look! Look! Look!
Look not at me
But at him
Look at his heart
And not at his appearance
For gracious is his appearance
But treacherous is his heart
Look Oh you who have eyes!
Watch out!
He is close
Look at him
Run for your dignity
He is behind you
No! Beside you
Oh no! In front of you
Never mind
For however, whenever and wherever
He will always defy you
Be alert
Not a widely opened eye
But a watchful one
Not an opened nose
But a sensitive one
Not a strong body
But a smart one
Don’t run!
Stand where you are
But stand firmly
Remember to lift your leg
For beneath it
You’ll keep him
Nowhere else
But under your foot