It Cannot Take my Smile

Is it there?

Is it real?

It comes in many sizes,

Many shapes,

Many ways.

It overpowers,

It controls,

It changes,

It hurts.

It is loneliness,

Fear,

Darkness,

Pain.

It is always there,

Never ceasing,

Never relenting,

It is life’s constant.

But it cannot have my heart;

It cannot have my joy;

It cannot have my laughter.

It will not take my smile.

Pain is always there,

Ready to consume;

But I can be stronger.

I will be stronger.

The joy that is within me

Is greater than darkness around me.

I have nothing

If I cannot keep my smile.

So no matter what happens,

No matter how small I feel,

I will stand tall,

Because my smile shows my strength.