This season of discovery,
A time to glean, learn and earn.
Gleaning from the fields
of those who have gone before
Learning the lessons in the journey
Earning the badges
From the scars of the battles lost and won
This game of adulting,
Seemingly adventurous, and dangerous to navigate
Tinged with equal amounts of disbelief and desperation
Tricky in execution, with sprinkled temporary excitements
Degrees of life conferred upon without trial
Exposing a zeal without knowledge
The indulgences, choices and excuses
That tells of manipulations, expectations and connotations
of congratulatory messages offered before time.
Time speaking to the concept of assumptions.
The adjustments and transitions.
What oh my youthfulness, would you have me do?
This mysterious trick played on humanity
A rich tapestry woven with threads of diversity
A maelstrom of desires, a myriad of sensations
Battering at us, overwhelming in their intensity.
A reconstruction, a disruption of the status quo
This chilling intensity of a bitter winter wind,
Numbing everything inside,
Despite the warmth of prevalence.
A curiosity that killed the cat
—serving not as a deterrent
To one who seeks to discover!
In hibernation was one’s safety
Hiding behind the glass house of innocence
Then Womanhood comes knocking
on the door of childhood fantasies
Demanding to be recognised as the new tenant
The rightful heir to the throne!
As they say,
‘even the best–laid plans can go awry’
These implications
Sweeping through this bag of bones,
Every sinew and muscle
As if this body suddenly decides it has been in stasis
For far too long.
Is it the reason for this hiatus?
The refusal to get the memorandum
Of time moving
Or is it the semblance of normalcy
That recommends immediate action?
What temptation!
What sensations befuddling the mind!
Complex questions swirling through
This impressionable brain
Demanding expression
These little pins all over the body,
Informing it of its desires and delicacies!
Demanding arousal and satisfaction
Who shall save us from this body of need?!
This confusing state of being,
They long defined as Womanhood!
What then do you know of Womanhood?
A dabbling into adulthood…
How do you get to ask me
of a natural process?
This progression of self is a journey
Paved with misunderstandings and complications…
That individuality that connects
Maturity, masculinity and flexibility.
Intriguing, intricately interlinked.
The magnitude of a new dimension
The celebration of our identity
A dancing into the unknown
A revelation and affirmation
Of seasons that speak of our condition.
A wining and dining of the sensory
A portion and a serving of just deserts
A symbol of my significance,
It is in the insecurities of youth,
That one hides in arrogance.
The innocence that speaks of a lack of experience
Consequences of biology, society, and agency.
An awareness of the power that lies dormant
Within the confines of my soul.
And the parts of my body…
An anatomy that is
As complex to describe
As it is to define.
An infatuation that stimulates
the nerves of depths unknown
A test of still waters that run deep
A purging of the immature
A pruning of childish ways
Embodying and embracing the failures
Long anticipated;
Navigating distant territories,
That echo (with) –
The nervousness of this state of being
Meeting self at the crossroads
Tasting the forbidden fruit,
Giving ourselves permission to be.
A two-thronged fork- competency;
Responsibility and respect earned from recognition.
As unfamiliar as adulthood seems
So intrinsic in nature is the state of Womanhood!
Ennia. Z. Nyamutsika, born in Zimbabwe, is a communications specialist with a deep affection for poetry, performing under the pen name Nia ZM. Though not yet published, she has presented her poems at diverse gatherings, including family, church, and corporate events. Outside her poetic endeavours, Ennia dedicates her time to reading, cooking, and cherishing moments with her family. She is an avid enthusiast of politics and sports, actively staying informed on global political landscapes and sporting events. Ennia’s multifaceted interests reflect her rich engagement with the world around her, balancing professional pursuits with personal passions.