Creative Writing

Either you go
through this door
or you don't.

If you go through
there's a danger
of forgetting your name.
That's the problem.

Everything looks at you twice
Ashamed, you look away,
you let it happen.
          You can't look for a fight.

If you don't go through
perhaps you'll have a good life.

you'll defend your ideals
you'll carry on with your work
you'll die a hero in your country

but perhaps many things will pass you by
you'll be blind to many things
at what cost? I don't know.

The door itself
can't make your decision
it's just a door!

-    Alamin Mazrui                        

     Translated by Katriina Ranne