Vivacious

The first thing people always notice

is the smile plastered across my face

A smile catches their attention

it draws them and decides

whether they say hello or not

Many have noted my smile

from friends to family

they see my smile upside down

but don’t call it a frown

and chose to ignore its message

Then when it’s right side up

they have to question

the truth of its presence

I’ve tried to copy others

see how easy it is to lie so beautifully

But I’ve found I’m missing something

that I lack a key ingredient

my lie is not real enough to pass for happy

I’ve seen strangers grab a room’s attention

with how lovely their smile shines

They immediately become the center

of the universe

as others flock to their side

enraptured by the flash of their smile

Meanwhile I rot in the corner

struggling to find a reason and a way

to have a brighter and more caring smile

So that one day

I may be approached

for how true and beautiful

my smile is

Nevertheless I shall keep my smile

and practice changing its appearance

until that day though

I am stuck with this smile

of a beautiful lie

copyright © 2022 by Myst In the Forest