Once upon a time

simplemind · 2015-11-16T04:59:53+00:00

Once Upon a Time Once upon a time, son, they used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes: but now they only laugh with their teeth, while their ice-block-cold eyes search behind my shadow. There was a time indeed they used to shake hands with their hearts: but that?s gone, son. Now they shake hands without hearts while their left hands search my empty pockets. ?Feel at home!? ?Come again?: they say, and when I come again and feel at home, once, twice, there will be no thrice- for then I find doors shut on me. So I have learned many things, son. I have learned to wear many faces like dresses ? homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile. And I have learned too to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart. I have also learned to say,?Goodbye?, when I mean ?Good-riddance?: to say ?Glad to meet you?, without being glad; and to say ?It?s been nice talking to you?, after being bored. But believe me, son. I want to be what I used to be when I was like you. I want to unlearn all these muting things. Most of all, I want to relearn how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror shows only my teeth like a snake?s bare fangs! So show me, son, how to laugh; show me how I used to laugh and smile once upon a time when I was like you. GABRIEL OKARA

Thread starter simplemind
Start date Nov 16, 2015

simplemind

JamiiForums uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…

Back

Top Bottom

Forums

New posts

Once upon a time

simplemind

JF-Expert Member

Our Community

Regional Communities