Smiling Again by Olayinka Egbokhare

I have learnt to smile again,

Learnt to play and to love and to receive love.

Learnt that one can work at showing love to others,

Learnt that love has eyes and dance and laughter

Love has sober, trying moments.

Love can mean sharing or giving or taking.

Love can come at unexpected times and from unlikely quarters.

Love can take flights of risk and be daring.

Love can put illness and loss aside and shine through,

Love can argue and disagree but will refuse to fight or bear grudges.

Love may be hidden because it is too premature to declare.

Love can hurt others who love us because it does not command their approval.

Love can peep or come forth in boldness.

Love will not leave you poor but richer all ways round.

Love can teach you life lessons that will make you strong.

Love will always prevail over the storms of life.

Biography

Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare was born in Ibadan, Oyo State. Her love for writing was brought to the fore by Mrs Ubah, one of her English teachers at the Federal Government Girls College, New-Bussa, Niger State. Yinka, the author of the widely acclaimed novel - 'Dazzling Mirage', holds a Ph.D in Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan where she teaches writing skills, advertising message development amongst other courses.

She makes her home in Ibadan with her husband, Francis and their children.