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.

ni-vanuatu-woman-and-child

 

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.’