I was in primary school when I was circumcised.
I already knew about it,
Because my cousins had it done to them before me.
I thought it was a good thing,
And that it would mean that I was now a grown woman.
I knew where I was headed.
I knew what was going to happen to me.
But I didn’t know how it was going to be done.
I went to a hospital,
In a remote area.
There were a lot of girls waiting for their turn,
And I was one of them.
I went in,
And they gave me a local anesthetic.
They spread my legs,
And there was a man standing there.
It was the worst feeling,
Seeing those people watching me.
I didn’t know its consequences,
Until I got married.
Until this day,
I’m scared of spreading my legs.
I’ve been married for five years.
I’ve never felt any sort of pleasure during intercourse.
It hurts me,
And makes me not okay.
It’s made me hate intercourse.
It’s made me hate my body,
And myself.
Then one day my husband said to me,
“You’re frigid,
And not like other women.
Don’t blame me if I cheat on you.”