Selection of poetry from the collection Art Blong Mi, Heart Blong Mi by Yasmine Bjornum, featuring at Alliance de Francaise for International Women’s Day 2018.
Sapos hemi tru se ‘Man is made is God’s image’
Mi luk se hemi ol woman
Wea hemi moa klosap long image blong God
From ol man hemi no gat power
Blong makem laef
Hemi ol woman nomo
Sapos hemi tru se ‘Woman came from man’s rib’
From wanem mi no luk
Wan baby hemi kam aot long wan rib?
Hemi ol woman wea hemi gat power
Blong bonem baby
Mo giv kaikai wetem titi blong hem
Sapos hemi tru se, ‘Man is stronger than woman’
Mi luk se hemi ol man
Wea hemi usem strength
Blong olgeta blong killem laef
Afta ol woman
Hemi usem strength
Blong olgeta blong makem laef
Mifala harem fulap toktok
Long saed blong Bible mo Kastom
Wea hemi stap downem woman
Mo talem aot se woman hemi no gat raet
Sapos hemi tru se God hemi giv power
Blong ol woman blong makem laef
Hemi meanem se ol woman
Hemi gat power tu
Blong makem laef wea hemi wantem
Mifala mas choosem story wea hemi reflectem power blong yumi.
RISE WOMAN VANUATU RISE
This poem was inspired by the quote ‘If a woman holds the power to create life, then she also holds the power to create the life she wants.’