More Than a Pretty Smile

There she was chasing a rabbit 
with 1 am coffeecakes and weak tea
She didn’t notice I was watching
from the branches of an olive tree
A lone smile hidden amongst
swirling smoke rings in a foreign accent

To the gazebo she ran
with its straw grass tables
and pleated cushions in hibiscus 
print fabric no one would sit on

My eyes followed her as she
darted around manicured boxwoods
and cherub statues spitting water
onto sleeping lily pads,
following the same schedule
as the other…identical

She came upon a dandelion 
and asked politely, “Pardon me,
but have you seen a…”
The weed interrupted, 
“Didn’t…don’t do drama dreams
dancing deliriously down
donut distracted ditches”
“That’s dumb” she replied
with a giggle and a snort 

This must be her fun, I think, 
trying to catch a white ball of fur, 
big, then small,
then smaller still like a 
thimble seeking a thread,
when now she is stopped 
in her ziggy zagging tracks 
by a June bug singing, 

“I see, I see, in front of me
Dessert, dessert, set out for free
A chocolate pie, a chocolate pie
in menus written on the sky”

Perplexed she climbed upon its back
and flew, holding onto 
red leather shoulder pads 
with black dots changing shapes, 
ducking winged arches that 
covered the vestibule they 
soared through when a sharp turn 
pitched her to the opposite side…

Landing with a thud, 
her new dress now soiled
between the wrinkles in time
that had ticked away
on a clock faced sun named Ray

She cried carrot tears, 
orange sherbet streams
on peach tone cheeks, 
marmalade miseries
and mango miscues
piddling on her patent leather shoes,
ready to give up

When it appeared, hopping happily
Jumping into her lap 
and licking her face
She caressed its fur, removing 
sticker burs and scratching 
just the right spot, as its right rear leg 
thumped with joy

Then lifting the bundled bunny 
to her face, she kissed it tenderly 
with wild cherry gloss lips, 
or should I say…kissed me
for you see, all along, it was me

"And you thought I was nothing more than a pretty smile…"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Tapestry Avatar
October 30, 2018 at 5:36 AM
Yep, clapping. And this sir - 'marmalade miseries', my favorite verse, my favourite stanza. I love it.
Green Avatar
October 30, 2018 at 7:52 AM
Thanks again my friend. Another of my favorites here. I had a blast writing this one.
Mc Mills-Cooper Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 10:11 PM
A very interesting take here Chris. I've written a poem about having "More Than Just a Pretty Face" or about how amazing "Her Smile Is"....but this was like an adventure here...I have to agree with Daniel. It was a world wind of a ride. Good Job! MC
Green Avatar
October 8, 2016 at 4:21 PM
Thanks so much Marquis. I'm thrilled you had fun on this adventure of my crazy imagination. I appreciate your kindness.
Turner Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 1:46 PM
Reads as if somebody has been into the Alice Carroll medicine cabinet. Lol Your imagination is traveling warp speed. A fantastic poem, Chris. I love everything about it and I too shall gift thee A7
Green Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 2:02 PM
Thanks so much Daniel for your wonderful comment. I'm thrilled you enjoyed reaching into that cabinet with me. :)
P  Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 9:21 AM
Apparently I'm in a tizzy today, forgot to rate this 7. Where's the ten? :)
Green Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Smiling here. :)
P  Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 9:18 AM
I wrote an entire review and its gone to the ether. I'll try this again, flabbergasted by this awesome story, and I don't usually use that word, it's so overdone, but this one deserves it. I could get high reading your poetry, which might have been your state of mind whilst writing this mind-blowing gem!
Green Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 11:06 AM
Thanks Paloma for your always kind comments on my poetry. As far as my state of mind at the time of writing this, no comment. :)
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