Behind the Smile

*Behind the Smile*

Behind the smile lie wounds too deep to name,
And silent aches that flicker without flame;
Cracks in the heart where tender dreams once grew,
And scars that whisper all that sorrow knew.

Behind the smile are questions without sound,
And dreams that fell before they touched the ground;
Needs left unanswered, desires left behind,
Battles once raging, victories undefined.

Yet behind the smile, a quiet light still gleams,
A stubborn little hope stitched through the seams;
For even when the night refuses to depart,
A smile can be the sunrise of a wounded heart.

 _Lady C_