Assurance

by Oyindamola Shoola

You asked me to swear that
I am not looking elsewhere...

Halima,
I have told Labisi
that even if she set's herself on fire,
she can never light up my world
the way your smile does.

I have told Chiamaka
that no matter how many times she waka
about and gallivant her
heaven-given or doctor-sponsored palliatives
it will never catch my heart
the way your brown eyes
and smart mouth does.

With love and you,
I am learning that
even where there are options,
you are my only choice.
And if you are not my choice,
then I have no decisions to make about love.