A Well Played Smile

He walks the well walked path,
with a dull, familiar stride.
Yet another person walking by.
Another victim of a prolonged life

He turns his head.
Watch him now as he looks instead
At another,
A taller,
More cheerful man.

How can he be jubilant when,
I see,
No reason to be joyful.
How dare he smile,
While I, am a bitter man,

Has he no other purpose,
Than, to mock me?
Watch now as he turns,
Now smiling at me...

I stare back, still joyful,
Wondering what brings on this mans pain.
We stand.
Unchanged.
Should I looks away?
Should I twiddle my thumbs as if this were a game?

What reason do I have to continue to stare?
Continue to be judged?
Continue to smile?

I take a chance.
If I stand criticized, then criticize this.
I broaden my smile, to more than my lips,
And stare at the man who will stare at this...

I stand appalled, or perhaps amazed?
I sigh and turn, looking for escape
But alas, I learn, there is no escape,
Because before I could turn,
A smile, was on my face.