Victor Buhagiar Poet Free verse

How To Fake a Smile

Written 28 October 2021


I went to a singles bar for the first time.
The lounge was full of smoke and smell
of heavy liquor.  The bartender quite busy.
Music blared “Smoke gets in your eyes”.
I smiled despite a small tear that got lost in my beard.

I sat alone at the counter.  Too many people, but  
I did not like to sit alone at a table where I would be
more conspicuous.  Finally the drink arrived.

I looked at it with distaste.  Am I to drown
my sorrows by getting stinky drunk?
Frankly it was not my style.  But what was I to do?

A woman sidled up to me.  Asked for a drink.
She was already half drunk.  I gave her my own.
I smiled.  She stared at me.  Was I happy there?

I did not answer.  Crying because she left me.
Was not going to make things better.
So I smiled despite the fact that it was a phoney smirk.

The bartender promptly put another drink before me.
I drank it up and left into the cold air outside.
It was then that I could not help but cry.


FICTION

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Valsa George November 24, 2021 at 8:12 PM Sometimes we have to fake a smile when we are crying inside....Interesting narration, Victor ! Next time get into a clean and nice bar :) :)

M. L. Kiser November 3, 2021 at 3:37 PM Very well expressed. Sometimes we hold in what needs to come out; it will at some point. A good write with feeling.

Linda Alice Fowler November 1, 2021 at 11:30 AM Internalizing pain is quite human I think. Nice fiction Victor. :) Linda

Eve Roper October 30, 2021 at 2:12 PM Those that keep their pains to themselves suffer the worst I feel. Great write.

Beryl Edmonds October 29, 2021 at 5:43 PM We all have to fake a smile sometimes, especially when feeling lonely. A tear jerking write Victor, fiction though it is… Belle

Kim Rodrigues October 28, 2021 at 4:28 PM A lot of sucking it up. Doesn’t sound like the place to be.

Andrea Dietrich October 28, 2021 at 2:15 PM really enjoyed this one, my friend. Loved this line: I smiled despite a small tear that got lost in my beard.

Sara Kendrick October 28, 2021 at 1:57 PM Ahh!! A sad one. I felt for the writer, bartender and the visitors to the bar. Enjoyed reading this one today. I could go many places with my thoughts but I won't. Thanks for the visit to my page. The trip out was nice despite the rain. Sara

Anne-Lise Andresen October 28, 2021 at 12:42 PM - We do not shed tears with strangers ... we want comfort and understanding ... not fake words, smiles or hugs from half drunk ladies ... a sad poem, Victor - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Mystic Rose Rose October 28, 2021 at 9:41 AM some people rather cry alone, its easier I guess, I hope this is all fiction, :) Victor Buhagiar October 28, 2021 at 9:59 AM Of course :)

Delice Arleen Skelly October 28, 2021 at 8:23 AM Victor, I think this is called - drowning sorrows. Your protagonist did the right thing, one drink then he left..Delice

Unseeking Seeker October 28, 2021 at 8:14 AM Despondent loneliness or vibrant aloneness … what’ll it be? :)

Vijay Pandit October 28, 2021 at 6:04 AM A place that blends happy and melancholy. Your poem gives voice to many who go there to spend some time among people--- for the life is lonely otherwise. But true--you still cry alone.

Ann Gilmour October 28, 2021 at 3:17 AM Such a sad tale Victor, but one that many folk will recognise I am sure. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Tom Cunningham October 28, 2021 at 2:57 AM Sometimes life is like that Victor, we just have to make the best of what we've got. Tom

Jan Allison October 28, 2021 at 1:40 AM mo many lonely and depressed people can paint on a smile, well penned victor. hugs Jan xx

Joanna Daniel October 28, 2021 at 1:29 AM Very sad and painful, yet the case of many lonely souls, Victor:) glad it's fiction for you:)

Arthur Vaso October 28, 2021 at 12:14 AM I found this poem captivating, it resonates with me, glad I came by!

Evelyn Judy Buehler October 27, 2021 at 10:38 PM Sometimes sadness and heartbreak are pretty hard to hide. Your poem conveys the mood of despondency very well. Masterfully written.