50 Percent.
Gave 50% of her time to it
Qualified over others she worked with
Paid less than them
Genuinely loved her job
Sacrificed her REM.
What did she get?
Not enough for 50%.
Gave 50% of all her strength to it
Family-time became such a myth
Did all of this for them
Had heart attacked by a mob
Of emotions at the helm.
What did she get?
Not enough for 50%.
Gave 50% of herself to it
Dreams Lally-gollied, littering the street
Felt her whole life was "La ferme!"
Full feelings remained long after her sob
Beauty forever a gem
What did she get?
Not enough for 50%.
Eyes and heart and ears and mind
All say the same thing
Even if she never gets what she deserves
God and destiny and grace-in-being
All know the same thing
You're worth more than every and any percent.
©2020 by Ayo Okikiolu.
Context:
I wrote this for someone in my life who I care deeply about. She worked terribly hard and then felt overwhelmed. I saw her worth even when no one else might have and I had to let her know that. :)
