The Conversation
written by: Uchenna Victoria
Her voice betrayed her, gestures accompanying. The younger woman swore she didn’t understand. For the older woman, nothing remained but a confession. “Dear”, she began, “it is time to get a life.” Silence. In and out the transmission of suppressed emotions. Hot air. Voice, when it came, shrill and bone-crushing. “What do you mean?” Surely, she had not misheard. “You want me out of your lives?” Pace up, pace down. More hot air. Fear and anger in massive collisions. A dream it could be. But, standing there, staring her in the face and speaking now, could it still be a dream? To reply, the older woman said, “My daughter, you are nothing without the protection of a patriarch. Somehow, you need one to validate your claims.” By ill-mannered silence, rage fought to be free. When the younger woman spoke again, it was in a whisper. “I need a man to confirm that I’m a woman?” Glare. Fury from one human form to the other. “Don’t be selfish!”. Deep breath. “I am saying that our bloodline can not end with you, and your good character, and your beauty”. Tears. “Do not allow the world to mock us. It is in your hands to give our lives a meaning”, the older woman spat in a tone of finality.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
The Conversation is an adaptation of Telephone Conversation which is a 1963 poem by the Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka. While Telephone Conversation satires racism, The Conversation explores the themes of parenting, marriage and mother-daughter relationship.
I am a young woman who is seeking out ways to live a life of relevance, and for me, this means adding value to the lives of the people around me. I believe strongly in pooling small efforts and in celebrating small victories. I learnt early enough that it is not in my place to complain about the problems in my immediate community and that has led me to join youth groups that are passionate about driving change in areas of poverty reduction, youth empowerment and gender equality.
What makes me tick? The small things – the very little acts of love, I cherish my “alone time” as much as my sponge cakes and I'm greatly attracted to creative and innovative minds.
- Blood, Sweat and Tears - August 17, 2020
- The Conversation - May 8, 2020
- Agbérà - August 1, 2017
