By Rashidat Ajakaye
In the flooding field of intimacy,
two hearts broken a thousand times
decide to become one with legal terms,
promising to be committed to each other
as branches and stems stand loyally to root.
There is always a reason to keep your marriage.
Let respect be born between each other,
love lasts longer after respect is settled,
trust your spouse as birds trust their wings.
Even when dreams dictate over time,
communicate pleasurably and enjoy little time spent with each other.
There is always a reason to keep your marriage.
Conflicts would arise,
be skillful at recultivating dying roses.
You belong to your spouse every second
as the sky belongs to its timely colours,
value each gift as though it is diamond.
There is always a reason to keep your marriage.
Avoid measuring your partner by your neighbour’s partner,
comparism is a disease, it kills faster than respiratory syndrome.
Develop interest in what he does, and he would so do,
were you hurt by her, him?
Spill not the faults of your partner to third ears.
Marriage is a divine state,
divine states are not forever but rather maintained,
a divinity that exists as a house,
love is the building and mutual respect is the foundation,
forgiveness is the floor, conflict management is the roof.
There is always a reason to keep your marriage.
If not for the respect, for the love.
If not for the love, for the memories.
If not for the memories, for the emotions.
If not for the emotions, for the family.
If not for the family, for the children.
There is always a reason to keep your marriage.
© RASHIDAT OLAMIDAYO AJAKAYE
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