Do not let our voices be silenced

Even as our eyes close forever

And we slip into spaces unknown

Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Friend, Witness

Fight for us

Do not let our passing be in vain

Close your ears to those who say it served us right

Listen not to those who call us names

Ignore those who blame everyone but our real murderers

Just

Fight for us

You will be offered money

What can I do for you?

What do you need?

All so you can start talking from both sides of your mouth

It will start with trickles

If you do not take the bait

It will come in torrents

It buys silence

It solves problems

You might be promised access

It provides opportunities

When this fails

You will be threatened

You will be reminded

Do you know who I am?

Still

Fight for us

What else do you have to lose?

We are gone

Never to return

Money you receive will be spent

It will never bring you peace

It comes drenched in the blood of the innocent

Access you are promised will disappear

Doors have a way of opening wide but closing quickly

You will be left with your shame and regrets

Fight for us

We are gone

You are here

You were not there when we needed you

Even when you were there

You said nothing

Listened to nothing

Did nothing

That is why we were lost

Never to be found again

We have left behind the judgement

The pain

The suffering

The blame

The cruelty

The helplessness

The condemnation

The murder of our trust

Now you mourn and wail

When all you have to do is

Fight

Dry your tears

They are no longer necessary

Stop the wringing of your hands

It is too late

Just

Fight for us

For justice

For truth

For us to be at peace

For you to find closure

If you do not fight for us

Many others will end up this way

Like others before us

And more after us

More blood will be shed with impunity

The powerful will always hold the powerless by the throat

Your nightmares will never end

We will haunt your dreams

We will remind you

Say no to the skeleton keepers

Cry for justice

Search for the truth

Demand for accountability

Refuse the sale of your soul

Fight for us

That is the least you can do

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is a Gender Specialist, Leadership Coach, Policy Advocate and Writer. She is the Founder of Abovewhispers.com, an online community for women. She can be reached at BAF@abovewhispers.com