Understatement

A masked smile carries us farther
than any understanding ever could.

1995, Ben Bisbee

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We were asked to write a 2-3 sentence poem or story that delivered an impact. This was a thought that had been rattling in my mind for a very long time after learning as a kid that gorillas show their teeth—like a smile—as a sign of aggression. It made me realize how many times I was just expected to smile or nod kindly even in the face of sheer madness or anger or frustration as a gay child and teenager, who was trying to process his own feelings, let alone the casual or direct aggressions, issues, hatred, bigotry or foolishness of others. To me, this is one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever written ever. And it was the one that my Professor also really appreciated. It also confirmed for me that I could be pithy with punch when needed.