My tears have flowed in floods,
I am you brother and I have
prayed to this god above,
to test me instead of you.
It’s still rape though he calls it love?
Bury me in a muddy grave
of shame before I let him hug
you as wife, I’ll drain his life of blood.
• From Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different: Poems from Malika’s Poetry Kitchen, to be published in August by Corsair (£12.99). To support the Guardian and the Observer buy a copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
