Ties that bind

Uwakmfon Ukobo
@Elsaukobo
9 years ago

The gathering of people connected by blood doesn't equate to togetherness, and I am constantly reminded of that. Smiling I shake hands bow and kneel where appropriate. But the smiles wrap around my face as a tape impeding my breathing. My hands feel rough and calloused from the pressure of empty handshakes. My knees are scraped and I feel a little blood trickling from them. My mom nods her head acknowledging that I am doing the right things. She doesn't see the tears hidden behind my lips up turned in fake smiles. She doesn't hear my aunt talk to me with as much disdain she can muster. She doesn't see the judgement in their eyes as they gaze at my dress willing it to be longer and looser like the other girls in their fellowship. She doesn't see me quake when my father's elder sister walks up to me because I know her presence comes with admonishing and belittling. She doesn't see me. She just see what she wants. They all don't. So I stand fading into the background and watch my family mingle but feel like a prey in the Lions den.