Faces

Letting themselves
Linger on

Peering into
This darkness

This shadow
of me

Let them
try to see

but each look
is deftly deflected
by an obtrusive smile

A well placed shield
for this heart

The upbeat step
for a downplayed rhythm
keeps them off balance
and misdirected

Laughing

is better
than crying
when it
comes to pain