Quick-reads

Don’t go to that town
Where everyone smiles & makes you their own

Once you smile you can’t stop
Even if your cheeks hurt
Wipe off that smile
Or tears will never spurt

But no!
It’s not you, it’s the town
Where everyone smiles & makes you their own

They won’t let you leave
You’re trapped – shaking like a leaf
Yet your face sports an indelible smile
Finding a way out will take a while

Don’t go to that town – I warn you
For I’ve been there & smiled unbearably too
They made me a prisoner of their joy
Try as I might I couldn’t cry

I was in pain – my teeth, my jaws, my cheeks
The whole town was smiling – at me?
They don’t allow frowning & not in the least crying
The only thing you can do is smile

There’s no way out – didn’t I tell you?
They own you now – how will you get through?

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