And Still She Smiles

And still she smiles  

Even in this darkness, her darkness,
when a moonless sky
preaches fear from a pulpit of shadows
pointing elongated fingers
and walls crumble 
into a rubble strewn alleyway
with graffiti issues, spray painted threats
on frantic facades dripping. . .

common sense
hides in sealed envelopes
addressed but not delivered
to neighborhoods in need
while self professed wanderers 
linger on sidewalks of 
washed out hopscotch scenes
by a raincloud that never seems to stop  

Her beauty shines
in effervescent streams
illuminating a photograph, poetry
and a kind word from quivering lips
caressing my eyes
in watercolor enchantments
and pastel pleasures,
showing me it is not what, but who. . .

for this darkness is hers,
weighted thoughts on soft shoulders
binding wrists in tethered worries,
draining dreams from casted wishes
and as regrets rip at the fabric,
folding seams in crooked stitches, 
her heart continues to outrun the pain
and still she smiles,  for me

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 12/30/2016 11:35:00 AM
Very touching and beautifully written my friend.. Something most all of us do at some point... Arlene
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Chris Green
Date: 12/30/2016 11:41:00 AM
Thanks so very much Arlene. I am happy you enjoyed this one.
Date: 12/29/2016 12:21:00 AM
What a great title. What a portrait of a woman you have created. The second stanza is my favorite, or i guess the third if you include the first line as a stanza.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/29/2016 9:11:00 AM
Thanks so very much, I am thrilled you liked this one.
Date: 12/28/2016 4:27:00 PM
Hi Chris, What a good message you have crafted within this poem. Although it's very hard to do, one can smile no matter how bleak it looks. Sometimes one may have to smile when they don't feel like it(laughter and smiles have a positive effect.A without seven and a fav:-) Alexis
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 4:40:00 PM
Sometimes it is very hard to do, but it is also so important to try. Thank you my dear friend Alexis. I always smile when you stop by, no matter what. :)
Date: 12/28/2016 11:58:00 AM
Chris, I really like this because it includes the hard edge of the world, before we even start thinking about the rainbow, begrimed shadows and the pain before the smile. We always want to change the past, and we can't.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 12:03:00 PM
Thanks Doug, that's reality and I know it. We all have shadows and monkeys clinging to our backs, but as long as we have a friend we can count on...it makes things so much easier.
Date: 12/28/2016 11:11:00 AM
True love is the strongest courage and always smiles no matter how dark the world around us or the world within us is. Beautiful poem, Chris.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 11:38:00 AM
Thank you so much Christy. With true love, anything is possible.
Date: 12/28/2016 9:42:00 AM
The brave will cheer at their highlights in life and smile at their worse.They hide their tears so well from the crowd.They live darkness with a candle in hand...especially on a moonless night.. I love this poem...It carries depth and for so many reasons it tpuches my heart.Thanks for bringing us smiles even on yr moonless nights as well.A fave.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 9:52:00 AM
Yes, you are correct my friend, it is all how you look at it or see it would be the better thing to say. But, as long as there is a friend who will stand by us no matter what, it is so much easier to get past the darkness and rejoice in the light. Thank you so very much Charmaine.
Date: 12/28/2016 9:04:00 AM
IN--F..KIN'----CREDIBLE!!!! Damn Chris this is a beautiful, yet deeply painful and joyously devastating write.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 9:46:00 AM
Thanks so very much John. I guess that means you liked it, huh? :) I appreciate your always encouraging comments my friend.
Date: 12/28/2016 8:56:00 AM
Smiles are what make the world worthwhile... Great poem Chris
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 9:46:00 AM
That's for sure Tim. If smiles were currency, I'd wish everyone to be rich.
Date: 12/28/2016 8:24:00 AM
Wow Chris. Excellent. I can identify with this. Very well written.
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Chris Green
Date: 12/28/2016 9:45:00 AM
Thanks so very much Heidi. I hope you smiled along with me. : )
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