A smile is such a mixed display
Of honesty and deceit.
Even the keenest are led astray
When that smile isn’t sweet.

With that smile a façade is built
Hiding one’s wants and true emotions.
A pearly white mask of fear and guilt
Outshines the truth with hollow notions.

But there lies the occasional shine,
Tearing down the walls and blockades.
Joy resounds from your soul to mine,
Hope flows from your grin in cascades.

Carry that flash of pleasantness and guile
And, to all, let it grow and accrue.
For when I bore witness to your loving smile
My heart leapt and I knew it was true.

April 19, 2009
©MDC

Say one thing and mean another,
Lies and secrets start to smother.
See every angle and hear every word
Without ever being where it occurred.
Emotions soon become confused and clouded
By everyone’s views condensed and crowded.
The solution so easy yet the problem so tough
Those involved will never call the bluff.
Hearts will be broken and friendships lost
The truth is withheld, but at what cost?
So escape and be true, while you still can
To when life was clear, before the lies began.

September 1, 2009
©MDC

outside the MDC
pool. I didn’t have my
mask. I didn’t ask if one
was needed. But the men

and woman entering all
have theirs on. So, I donned
a jacket to wrap around
my face. I looked out

of place. All people entered through
the front door. I didn't see a
men’s or lady’s room. As I laid beside
the pool the lifeguard told me

to wear a mask while
tanning. A mask on my face while
tanning would make me look like
a character out of the Flintstone’s

once I took it off. I scoffed
at this under my breath. It wouldn’t
have my death if I didn’t
wear a covering. We were outside and spread

over six feet apart. So, I played in
the water the whole time. At least
here you didn’t need to wear one. I
wouldn’t let it spoil my fun!