Through You I Smile
I’d tell you my story, but where I’m from
it’s just a statistic
Life and death- same difference- it’s just ballistics.
So much suffering – I no longer pray for salvation
But say
‘Unharden our hearts, soften the indifference, please
let us not become animalistic’
I can’t drown – there’s no water
I can’t choose darkness – no light
I break my back- hospital full of counterfeits- bills left to pay
Work, work, work- greedy employers- overtime, what overtime?-
don’t bother them with linguistics
I fall asleep, dream in a loop- even my fantasies have become realistic
DON’T tell me it’s going to be okay- I’m not idealistic
And yet…something happens when I hit the poetic scene
There he is encouraging others, commenting on poems
Reaching out to new poets and just being optimistic
His words flow so fluidly, so joyously-tears prick my eyes
Gentle words, humorous words- my heart constricts
My face muscles contract
This feeling I get when I read his words is so foreign…
I wreck my brain trying to solve the mystery
Suddenly, my head bobs
My heart expands
My muscles relax
My mouth curves – it is called a smile
Your words are my balm – your goodness my hope –
your encouraging others my optimism
It is through you that I smile
so please try not to be sad.
Dedicated to Richard Lamoureux, he who makes me smile.
Copyright © Vicky Tsiluma | Year Posted 2013
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