Written piece
To Whom It May Concern
Liliane Umwiza
Rwanda
About this piece
The piece shared explores a young African woman identifying her “love” patterns in a modern world as she seems stuck with the provided script of a failing patriarchy. My submission, is an attempt to study some of those beliefs passed down from women of generations before us.
Title: To Whom It May Concern
I am applying for the position of girlfriend or “your maybe or not” referred to me on social media by your text: “Hey beautiful. I'm sure there are more qualified candidates for the position but, I assure you no one is as desperate for it as you would like them to be.
Over the years of my existence my life hasn't been short on self-doubt, insecure attachments, questionable taste in men, so believe me, the worse you get the more I am ready to fix and obsessively shower you with unwanted care. Which is what you want right?
I will call you when you forget to, I will give you space and time to do your life while I anxiously suffer in wait but patiently.
I will apologize for your mistakes, share guilt and responsibilities.
I will love us for the both of us, carry this ship wherever you should go.
I will compromise a lot you won't have to. I will dismiss all things misogynistic because you didn't mean to right? you're a man, not a woman, you obviously don't have a clue about our biology, do we even eat? or talk? or need sleep when a lover calls?
I will fill you in on the species of women at free 99.
Oh don't worry about standards, only yours matters really. I will drop mine on the floor so you can jump over them as much as you like.
And don't worry about how it looks on the outside. I majored in drum rolls, humiliation: private public, you name it.
Raise your voice at me anytime you want. I might need to go to the bathroom or corner and cry but I swear I will spare you that ugly sight.
I will clear my schedule to feed yours. It's not me before you, it's you before me always.
Your mediocrity is excellent, your mistakes, apologies there is no such thing you make.
Your smallest effort will always be celebrated after all how else a king is treated.
spill your coffee I will wipe the floor you've never been good at cleaning after all and it's a woman's job.
I will take your leaving me on red as a considerate act to my application. I am available 24/7. cross all my boundaries. I haven't marked them yet. Please pick me.
Yours maybe, no pressure.
Lily.