Go ahead and approach a stranger with a big smile, any more. Watch them clutch their pocket books, aim their phone at you, and regard you with deep suspicion.

A full device restart was necessary this morning before the recording of this poem would upload.

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Recorded Reading (0:51): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y5i7emtr39i0ispzf2cmu/Fearful-Smile.mp3?rlkey=uqxjjwss8g27vm2pijx4x5mik&dl=0

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Fearful Smile

Of all the things you’ll offer
To this your world, my dear ~
Times when you’ll get angry,
Times when you’ll despair,

Moments when you’ll manage
A somewhat graceful aire
To stranger eyes a model
Of serenity appear,

Writings to posterity
For which it may or may not care,
Actions, false recorded,
Which really noble were, and fair,

Flustered times for, scattered, which
You’d not a moment to prepare ~
In every one some threat they’ll see,
But it’s your smile that they’ll most fear

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This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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