At the End I Am Glad I Smiled in the End
I stood there hoping the light in my chest did not go out when a man approached.
“Your smile is a lie,” said the man as I tried to see his face and still that voice echoed in the distance over all the scattered fields. “Never realized until now how much your smile is a lie.”
I was puzzled as his words resonated. “Well yeah, I guess.” I felt somber in his presence. The man had spoken shrewdly and still he waited patiently for more. “I am not always happy, but I like to smile.”
He remained silent.
The man expected more. I could not be done with the subject. I knew that suddenly. “People respond to smiles. They give you a reaction. They can return a smile, or laugh at you, or wander off wondering about your smile or just something.”
Did the world keep turning? A chill crept through the hot air save for around the man everything was calm. Again, the voice engulfed and receded touching the depths of humanity. “And that makes you happy.”
“Yes - that makes me happy.” He wanted more. “Not absolutely or to fulfillment always, but simply happy. I smile and most people are happy.”
The man adjusted his robe as he spoke, “Your smile is a lie.” The coldness in the air was compassion. I stood there listening for awhile.
“Sure but…”
I quickly lost whatever I had to say. There were errors in any defense and I listened for another shift in the wind. As I stopped, everything started and ended once more. Then the man - that voice - swirled over the towering skies. Could everyone hear him?
“Some people see through your smile. They feel it is lie. Then they question you, not trusting your ease in display.”
At that moment, I could feel them all walking away simultaneously. I began stumbling desperately. “Yeah I… if mischievously it’s simple… a chance for a smile… I mean not dishonest… a smile… not always… I do smile a lot… I mean for a simple… a joyful lie.” Out of habit, I made a reassuring smile but then as I became aware I shied away.
“Be confident or it is all becoming a lie.”
Instantly, I turned back with confidence trying not to succumb to the utter shame… But - the man was gone and I was left smiling with only the weight of those almost forgotten coins in my jacket pocket.
I stood there hoping the light in my chest did still glow when I smiled.
“Your smile is a lie,” said the man as I tried to see his face and still that voice echoed in the distance over all the scattered fields. “Never realized until now how much your smile is a lie.”
I was puzzled as his words resonated. “Well yeah, I guess.” I felt somber in his presence. The man had spoken shrewdly and still he waited patiently for more. “I am not always happy, but I like to smile.”
He remained silent.
The man expected more. I could not be done with the subject. I knew that suddenly. “People respond to smiles. They give you a reaction. They can return a smile, or laugh at you, or wander off wondering about your smile or just something.”
Did the world keep turning? A chill crept through the hot air save for around the man everything was calm. Again, the voice engulfed and receded touching the depths of humanity. “And that makes you happy.”
“Yes - that makes me happy.” He wanted more. “Not absolutely or to fulfillment always, but simply happy. I smile and most people are happy.”
The man adjusted his robe as he spoke, “Your smile is a lie.” The coldness in the air was compassion. I stood there listening for awhile.
“Sure but…”
I quickly lost whatever I had to say. There were errors in any defense and I listened for another shift in the wind. As I stopped, everything started and ended once more. Then the man - that voice - swirled over the towering skies. Could everyone hear him?
“Some people see through your smile. They feel it is lie. Then they question you, not trusting your ease in display.”
At that moment, I could feel them all walking away simultaneously. I began stumbling desperately. “Yeah I… if mischievously it’s simple… a chance for a smile… I mean not dishonest… a smile… not always… I do smile a lot… I mean for a simple… a joyful lie.” Out of habit, I made a reassuring smile but then as I became aware I shied away.
“Be confident or it is all becoming a lie.”
Instantly, I turned back with confidence trying not to succumb to the utter shame… But - the man was gone and I was left smiling with only the weight of those almost forgotten coins in my jacket pocket.
I stood there hoping the light in my chest did still glow when I smiled.