I'm not a selfish person, but
For too long now
I've been smiling for you.
But I've been smiling without showing teeth.
Because my lips are sealed shut not by a secret but by a promise
to always be there.
And I've forgotten that I need to be there
for myself.
For too long now I've been smiling, lips shut, for you.
I like my teeth now, though
and I think it's time
to show them.
I need to smile with you.
And I need to smile for me.
From now on
I won't smile in pity
or to make you think that nothing is wrong
when I show my teeth
the only person I will be showing them to
is myself.