If Only Poem by mmemezi khumalo

If only you could see behind that smile
If only you could see behind those tears
If only could learn to love freely
If only you could learn to live with yourself
If only you knew how to live with yourself
Then you would raise your head up high when all about you are spinning theirs and blaming it on you
If only you could trust yourself when all doubt you
Then you could live at peace with yourself
If only you learnt patience
Then you would be never be tied to keep trying again and again
If only you learnt courage
Then you would act and make a change today and cast away your fear of shadows
If only you could understand today
Then you wouldn’t be angered by this world
You would understand that there is no loss without gain and no gain without loss
If only you can bear with truth a little longer
Then perhaps you would perhaps learn to forgive
If only you learnt to learn always
Then you will be a better person