(photo session baby picture)
Serious                                                 ­                                                          
somber
no smile

Come on, child
I don't have all day
What's wrong with you

Oh go ahead
take one anyway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(early school years)
Serious face
somber
no smile

speak up, Child
no tales to tell?
of schoolyard adventures
games to be won?
you're so quiet...
what's wrong with you
cat got your tongue?

sad little face
tears running down
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(high school)
Serious face
somber
no smile

rattling papers
quivering lips
how long did this speech have to be?
knees won't stop trembling
how long can one take this misery?
can't see for tears forming

hot burning face
crippling disgrace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(meeting)
quiet
tentative: "I have an idea
I'd like to present..."

loud
dismissive
oh let's move on
that won't work

("why did I bother to come?
I feel like a ****")

burning eyes
lip silently bit
don't let the tears slip