Life Is A Short Smile

Life Is A Short Smile

I met a lady during my years of torture

She said to me:

If my child identifies as gay

He will die.

Why? I asked.

She replied:

The mental torture

The emotional trauma

That which comes with being gay

Is like carrying a double measure of life’s burdens

That is enough to cause death.

I nodded and then I said to her

That I am gay and not doubly burdened

How do you do it? she asked

Shock at my admission evident in her voice

By taking each day as it comes, I said.

One step at a time

I don’t dream of a better future

Dreaming only wastes my current energy

I don’t dwell on past troubles

Worrying only takes away the strength I need to do today

I regard everyday as a reason to smile

Every breath as a reason to stay happy

Written by Edafe Richie Okporo

Previous Random Questions VII
Next ELECTION YEAR IS COMING UP, AND NIGERIAN POLITICIANS HAVE REMEMBERED HOMOSEXUALITY EXISTS (AGAIN)

About author

You might also like

Poetry 8 Comments

When You Love Someone

When you love someone You live in the realm of fantasies You create unimaginable pictures in your head And long for them all to be real Love gives you hope

Poetry 1Comments

Of a Friday Night in Lagos, a Gay Man, His Lover and Afrobeat

Of the seven deadliest sins in my country A man loving another man is the first three.   It’s Friday in Lagos meaning it’s the unholy cocktail traffic, TGIF, Friday

Poetry 8 Comments

Will You?

If I was a lie Would you still believe? Waking up to find I’m just your imagination Will you doubt the words I’ve said, The pictures I’ve painted, The smiles

6 Comments

  1. Quinn
    June 10, 09:47 Reply

    I choose to be happy and smile!

  2. Just Negodu
    June 11, 20:50 Reply

    Nice one. By taking each day as it comes.

    Moderator, how can i share my pleasant story on this pleasant platform.

Leave a Reply