Inner Smiles

That ear-to-ear warmth once born

of the tooth fairy so long ago,

with impish surprise

you revealed your caress.

I did curse you once though,

or twice,

or three times,

I don't know,

so many curve balls you threw,

attempting to fool my fear.

Then you popped up on my towel,

almost hiding,

just hanging there.

Yeah.

Really.

Even as the dampness of my rushing to dry

stretched you downward,

you managed to absorb your tears

lift your threads upwards for joy…

up…

up…

Pulling me along until

I once again succumbed to your miracle,

your healing of dreams,

once of nightmares.

I know you're there

in the gleam of a river's flow,

the crackle of a fire,

the taste of joy,

the touch of a rose petal’s velvet,

the fragrance of an early sunrise.

I just have to stay aware

beneath the pillows of my darkness.