I never
took you
for a fool.

Except for
when we were
fooling around
the backseat
of your car.

You had me fooled
with your wide-eyed,
youthful glow.

I thought
I tasted love
on your lips.

But you were
just looking
for somewhere
to park
your car
for the night.

I guess,
I was the fool.

No one wants to hear about it.
People only love you when you’re happy,
So stuff it away and put on a smile.

Do your job and don’t think about it.
Don’t acknowledge it.
Don’t write about it.

If you admit to it,
People will think there’s something wrong with you.
Your parents will think there’s something wrong with you.

And your friends won’t know what to think of you,
Because you used to be, “so happy.”
You used to be “fun,”

But lately,
You’ve been smiling a lot less,
And it’s really bringing down the vibe.

Maybe you should talk to a therapist,
Because it’s their job to listen,
Not mine.

And everything you’ve been writing is a little depressing,
So could you stop?
It’s making your parents uncomfortable.

The least you could do is,
Smile.

So people think you’re okay,
So you can do your job, and
So you don’t ruin anyone else's day.

Smile,
So you seem approachable.

Smile,
So your friends are comfortable.

Just ******* smile.

These words,
they feel like home.
The way you used to,
before you left
me, with nothing
but a pen,
and paper
to dry my tears.

Reflecting,
on memories
I can’t refund,
because no receipt came
with the lies I bought.
Words,
are all I have left
when I feel lonely.

Empty,
where your love used to breathe
into me.
These words,
will never fully express
the emotion they carry,
when I say,
I still love you.