Spirit of the Smile
By John Herlihy

There is distance in a smile,
As far distant and wide as a mile.
There is implicit trust in a smile,
What is given is taken for a while.
There is mercy in a smile’s crease,
To touch the heart never to cease.
This is charity in a smile’s crooked line,
A human gift reflecting the sublime.
There is silence in a smile’s simple way,
Offering blessing without a word to say.
There is simplicity in a sudden smile,
A spontaneous outpouring of a child.
Asking for nothing and freely given,
Awash in joy all misery now forgiven.
There is love in a smile’s warm embrace,
Lending divinity to the human face.
Whether infant, young, adult or old,
A smile always seems a miracle to hold.
The spirit of a smile’s infinite touch,
Gives itself freely away so very much.
Give me a smile and I will walk away,
To protect the innocence of the day.