Maclawrence Famuyiwa Poet Free verse

The Sheet of Guile

Find a sheet of guile,
wrap it 
                 r 
              o
              u 
                n 
                    d 
                          your e m o t i o n s
                  v
                     e 
                     i
                   l  
          your s m i l e s in slyness;
let the heat of the desert
dry the s~t~r~e~a~m~s of your tears.

No one cares
whether you are happy or sad;
beneath 
                the c o v e r of pretence,
their smiles will greet your success,
yet with dry t e a r s
they will s c o r n your grief and sorrow.

Many times,
they hold the key to where your joy lies;
but to c a u s e you pain,
they will hide it from your r e a c h.
And often still,
they will c e a s e the balm
that soothes your a c h e s,
so your sadness may l  i  n  g  e  r.

They see your smiles
as t 
         i 
             m 
                   i 
                       d
                            i
                                t
                                      y,
                                           your tears
as w
            e      
                  a
                        k
                               n
                                      e
                                            s
                                                   s,
                       your kindness
as f
         o
             l
                l
                   y.

Your grief d e l i g h t s them,
your joy w o u n d s their souls.

So hide beneath 
                                 the v e i l
of their pretence to live long and joyful—
let them s e e tears when you are happy,
and wash your face with s m i l e s
when sorrow fills your heart.

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