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Finding Carol's Smile

Fawning and falling, there goes your heart butting 
in again. faded careworn jean jacket's pockets frayed 
no longer the deep indigo to match her eyes, 
daring me to swing higher than she rocketing skyward  
instinct failing me., how I want it to kick in.. 
nothing left to say, as the day wore thin, only she knew why.. 
go away with me in her eyes, please stay with me in mine. 

Cunning cheeks proud, tho' gaunt.., how poor she must be. 
asked her when she last had something to eat 
restless heart hers.., so different than any I'd ever known 
only a small handbag that looked once to've been mauve
lean lesson in friendship's hardest won friend.. 
'cause I need her to know someone cares if only this once,   
so sad to see society steal her smile away.

She'll find it again, I always hoped this for Carol..  
messy bun lip glossed lips whistle at a plateless car  
in yet another restless turn of the sun..
lovely loveless one that learned so much from the street
endless search for you, virtue's never ending trap for me..
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Romios Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 8:43 AM
Oh, too beautiful You leave ne at a loss for words, Panagiota xx
Theraven Avatar
June 26, 2021 at 9:22 AM
Panagiota, That's so peculiar. Same way I feel about you and your stories of life. -Richard
Dietrich Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 5:49 PM
What poignancy and your strumming music with this. Just beautiful.
Theraven Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 6:56 AM
Andrea, Thank you. Not one person has mentioned this poem as an Acrostic, my very first. -Richard
Proxenos Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 5:15 AM
Hi Richard, Hope you had an awesome Fathers day. A real friend made should always be treasured and it seems carol is special to you - it is so easy for society and its protocol to not get involved in the case of the poor, what a shame society is the reason Carol lost her smile, similar cases worldwide. She needs someone that really cares about her in her life, she learned from the Street - hope your endless search bears fruition Hugs and blessings, Jennifer Proxenos.
Theraven Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 6:44 AM
Jennifer. Thank you for reading & commenting. One quick note: the search belongs to Carol. Each individual decides when they've found what was searched for. The street is a metaphor for the advice we take outside of those who care for us, like family. -Richard
Trifiatis Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Inspiring poetry that touches the heart and mind, my friend, Richard. Superb writing. Blessings.
Theraven Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 12:22 PM
Demetrios, Thank you for reading it. I wish you a Happy Father's Day in kindness and light. -Richard
Ligon Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 8:06 AM
I love the association between the fading jean jacket and her blue eyes. Touching story. I wonder, is it personal?
Theraven Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 12:19 PM
Juliet, Thanks. That's my second favorite. By personal, do you mean 'based on actual events/persons'? Oh yes, Carol is real alright. It is the storyteller that's rife in extended metaphor/conceits. -Richard
Roper Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 7:28 AM
Great poetic and heartfelt write, Richard. A smile and a plate of food gone. Eve
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:36 PM
Hello Eve, Thank you, would wish we could feed them all. -Richard
Callus Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 3:22 AM
I find both the title and content of poem very touching, Richard. It is lovely to see how real friendship can produce such heartfelt feelings. I've never seen Carol's smile, but I hope she will find it and all that goes with it. ~ Regards // paul
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:33 PM
Paul, Thanks for that comment. Newfound friends, a wonder, never a contest. Only strangers a moment ago, share an innocence and park swings. Society and the change it brings can be such misery for those unprepared, those with no family. This Father's Day I give thanks for family. I wish for all to share in it for at least one day. -Richard
Buehler Avatar
June 17, 2021 at 10:16 AM
So sad and moving, Richard. A smile is a valuable thing to lose. But there is always hope.
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:16 PM
Evelyn, Thanks for reading, no one should ever go hungry, or starve for affection. Another's reality can be filled with both beauty and dispair I've found. -Richard
Sands Avatar
June 17, 2021 at 10:05 AM
Powerful poem Richard. Filled with clear details, combined with a longing as well. Nice one and memorable this is. I hope she found her smile again. Have a nice day :)
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:08 PM
Heidi, Thanks, I hope so too. I keep listening for a woodpecker's drumbeam. -Richard
Daniel Avatar
June 17, 2021 at 8:13 AM
Deep and profound, Richard:)
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:03 PM
Hello Jo Daniel, Thank you for reading my poem. I liked your poem 'Art From The Heart'. -Richard
Faulkner Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 2:35 PM
This reached out to me because my mother's name is Carol, and though she has lost many things in her life she has kept her smile - this is so touching, is it based on a real person?
Theraven Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 10:49 PM
Michelle, Thank you, perhaps the smile that saved us all. -Richard
Pandit Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 7:05 AM
Thanks to goodwill of some, may be Carol will find her smile. Emotive write, Richard---endless search for you, virtue's never ending trap for me...
Theraven Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 2:09 PM
Hello Vijay, 'Thanks to goodwill of some', if only you knew. Perhaps Goodwell the perfect place to find many a memory's smile. -Richard
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