UNDERNEATH A SMILE

A smile can often cover up
from everyone we meet,
a host of miseries and pain
that lie buried oh so deep.

Our loved ones never really know
at least I pray they don’t,
that their thoughtless words and actions
need so much healing, but they won’t..

Admit to faults and failings
in silence they do hide,
with hearts so cold and hard as rock
all because of foolish pride.

They think to say ‘I’m sorry’
will make them small and weak,
Oh God, when will You hear the prayers
for all the answers that we seek.

When will these smiles we’re wearing
become ones so true, so whole,
that will reach right down inside of us
into our very souls.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Oct. 09,1993