Nigerian poet Kafayat Quadri's poem asserts her strength and power in the face of oppression and doubt.

My existence is the change you sought
The change your teenagers will see, believe and be
The change you gallantly gave up on
The one your teacher said could never be
I come peacefully with a peace of mind
Back to the strength of many as one
That he who once wore a torn stocking
Now sits at the board of knowledge
That I desperately seek my sanity to be better
For the goodness and wellness of the world
That we walk the sands of the earth
Free of the encumbrance of intolerance
I walk free now I am the change
You thought could never be
But you thought wrong
Just as yours is as my tongue
Compassion and empathy
Our hearts a consensus in a bond

About the Author

Kafayat Quadri is a poet, guitarist, and comparative legal researcher for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She is a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. She obtained her law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and is currently doing her PhD in International Criminal Law in Kuala Lumpur. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mockingbird Company, which publishes PoetryDigest Magazine, the first poetry magazine in Nigeria. As a poet, she has been published in both local and international magazines and anthologies and co-edits the Poetry Digest Magazine with Jumoke Verrisimo. She is currently working on a musical album. Singles from the forthcoming album can be previewed at www.facebook.com/kmquadri and www.youtube.com/kafayatquadri.

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