Beware the man
who tells you to smile;
who says “cheer up, love”;
whose gait is suffused
with the spring
of never having suffered.
For what does he know of your life,
your thoughts and fears?
What rights has he
to pierce your balloon
with his prick of positivity?
Yes beware the man
who tells you to smile;
whose laugh is the bray
of a simpler beast;
whose brow is unfurrowed
by the plough of failure.
What does he know
of your reality?
Has he heaved
the stones that you have?
Has he sifted
the sludge of your being?
Beware the man
who tells you to smile.
