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 52 Comments

FIRE AND ICE

It began as a whisper, a promise The calmest of voices whispered my dreams into my ears And like a child on Christmas eve, I hearkened to it I believed

Poetry 8 Comments

The Ritual Prayer Of Malediction

The Hereafter, Like a Dirge: The hereafter like a dirge comes calling softly Mighty Father, we have sacrificed Let us not die till we reach old age Mighty Father, God

Poetry 6 Comments

My 1000 Forms Of Fear

Writer’s Note: I love Sia. I love her work, and it is because of this admiration that her album title inspired the title of this work. The rest of the

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