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48 The Maidservant I quit my job today— It was the best decision I ever made, The first time ever I used my mind. What an exhilarating feeling! Never again shall I be a dishrag To that fat-pot-bellied nitwit disease infected Beer stinking, tobacco chimney boss of mine. I quit my job today— It was the best decision I ever made! Never again shall I listen to my mistress’ nagging— Scolded without cause Humiliated without reason Starved without mercy What a debilitating experience. I quit my job today— It was the best thing I ever did! Never again shall I suffer my mistress’ indignity For she laughed at me Pointed a finger at me As though I were scum A cow-dung imbecile without brains “Don’t ever lament to me you filthy wench You stinking goat from Kakamega!” So, I hang my head in shame. I quit my job today— It was the most liberating decision I ever made. Never again shall I be scorned by my mistress! As I near the end rope of my life, 49 I, daughter of woman, have suffered the injustice of life. For poverty had robbed me of an education. For poverty had robbed me of the joy of youth, Sodomized at the hand of my pot-bellied Beer stinking good for nothing boss of mine For poverty had robbed me of happiness For poverty had robbed me the joy of motherhood For poverty had robbed me of life Infected with HIV at a tender age of 15, Now death smiles at me with open arms, As wide as the eyes can see, to receive me. I have no choice in the matter Just as much as I had none in life. So I quit my job today— It was the most liberating thing I ever did. And as I walked out of my mistress’ house, I raised my eyes into the skies The clouds looked like cotton balls gliding with ease And the browned zinc-tainted roof tops Of an unwelcoming city looked like a wasteland Of a dead past like the dreams of my formative years So I closed my eyes, sealing my fate forever Ending a life lived in disharmony. ...

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