Poetry Blossoms Within

Cheeky Smile

Beneath the surface of a smile, there's a storm,
A hurricane of emotions, far from the norm,
An infectious grin that lights up the room,
Yet hides a heart steeped in quiet gloom.

Look at those teeth, so perfectly aligned,
A façade so seamless, it could almost blind,
But behind that curve, there's a story untold,
Of battles fought in the cold.

Eyes that crinkle at the corners, sparkling bright,
Yet within, they hold the darkest night,
A laugh that rings like a bell so clear,
Drowning the echoes of silent fear.

The mask is flawless, the performance grand,
Every gesture, every word, carefully planned,
To keep the world from seeing the scars,
To hide the hurt beneath the stars.

People say, "Your smile is contagious,"
Unaware of the tears so courageous,
Held back by sheer will, by silent cries,
In the depths where true pain lies.

For an infectious smile can be a shield,
A defense mechanism carefully wielded,
To protect a soul too fragile to share,
The burdens it's too afraid to bare.

Behind the laughter, there's a tale of woe,
A river of sorrow that continues to flow,
Yet the world sees only the surface bright,
Missing the battles fought each night.

For a smile can be both a gift and a curse,
A paradox profound, a silent verse,
Sung in the solitude of a heart in pain,
Wishing for sunshine but drenched in rain.

So next time you see that infectious grin,
Remember the turmoil that may lie within,
And offer a hand, a heart, a listening ear,
For sometimes, that's all one needs to hear.

A smile can hide what words cannot say,
A fortress of light keeping darkness at bay,
But with understanding, with empathy's grace,
We can see the truth behind the face.