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.