Weapon Faithful

The child tried to smile
When her kindergarten teacher called her ‘snail slow’
‘Only cowards shed tears’
The smile though weak still remained
During comparisons to peer achievers
She continued to smile
Despite setbacks and letdowns
A faithful weapon to conceal
Underlying storms
Unhealed wounds…

Her smile they said
Lit up lives
So she made it a habit
Of daily wear

It marked her entire presence
When she was all there
Yet completely absent…