"Why are you always
so down?”
They inquired
And they persisted.
I sighed.

"I have always been
like this.
Why change now?”

They gaped at me
Bewildered

“Isn’t it a choice?”
I smiled a faltering smile
An old wary smile
That is tiresome
And lonely
Cruel and bitter
Unyielding;

Stubborn.

"It is, and I choose it
to be this.”
They turned to leave

"Because I can’t afford to be happy.”
Silent whispers do not
matter.