Recent Photographs (A Poem)

Where there once was a twinkle

Sheer joy, a spark

Snuffed out is that glow

A gaze vacant and dark

Eyes like pools of despair

So deep you could dive

With a tiny hint of hope

Fighting hard to survive

You can tell she attempts

To produce a natural smile

Strained and dishonest

Hurting all the while

But there’s truth in her eyes

Although a dim glimmer

At the bottom of the darkness

Is a light yet to shimmer

If you look deeply enough

You’ll see hope fighting through

It’s broken and buried

But it’s existence is true

Although her smile is artificial

And her eyes look dejected

At second glance I see a girl

With a pain she has respected

The unwavering joy  

He made shine from her eyes

She knows can’t be faked

So it’s not like she tries

She puts on a good face

And smiles with her friend

Making the most of the moment
While hope is on the mend