Shine Joyously

My colleague Dea as cute as a button,

a vision in black and white, a picture to

delight my eyes and I told her so, limpid

blue eyes and an unsullied mind, hurt by

life as she allowed words to pierce her

confidence - she demurred: No, I’m dull,

Cheryl said I always looked so dull -

                 

Surprised I replied: Take criticism from

whom it comes, you cannot take Cheryl,

psychedelic colour schemes, as fashion

mogul, she must have been jealous and

wanted to inflict hurt; forgive her, jealousy

is not easy to control – but shine joyously

in your knowledge that you are beautiful

Dea smiled her surprise: Really? I laughed

Yes, and as of now I shall remind you

every day…

[Dea Swiegers, my colleague at Department
Arts and Culture, South Africa]