Smile... It's Not that Bad
Our Favorite Line
12/21/17 A smile,
Worth a thousand words.
A thin line
Worth more?
Or less?
The truth in sight
But still wonder,
Still tell her
“Smile, it’s not that bad”
And the response
Pearly whites,
Eager to please
But why?
She wonders when you leave
Why she listened—
To someone
With a history
Of turning smiles
To frowns,
Tearing peace
Into painful pieces.
Is it really
Not that bad?
Tomorrow,
You walk by
She turns away
Ignoring presence
Thoughts in eyes:
“Smile,
Its not that bad.”
But what do you know
Of scheduled walks,
Faked phone calls
Ignored voices and
Pretend ignorance,
Of stares and whispers,
What do you know
Of crawling skin
And nighttime terrors
That reappear in multiple
During daytime light?
What do you know,
Of the lack of a smile,
What do you know,
Of the truth
In the mind?
Asking for a lie
To hide your truth,
To hide the truth
Of a rewinding country.
About the Creator
Katrina Thornley
Rhode Island based author and poetess with a love for nature and the written word. Works currently available include Arcadians: Lullaby in Nature, Arcadians: Wooden Mystics, 26 Brentwood Avenue & Other Tales, and Kings of Millburrow.
Comments (1)
A smile must be given. This piece makes me feel bad for someone, maybe I am all wet. But, it is good and solid...makes a person feel something, not all can feel the same, anyhow.