by Mary E. Lowd
Like it literally hurts him to smile
But he’s doing it anyway
For you
Because he wants you to see
Wants you to feel that he’s happy
Wants to share it with you
Even if it isn’t entirely real
Even if it’s — a little bit — just for show
But not because he’s worried about
What you think of him
Not because he’s insecure
Just because
He wants to add a little levity
Literally
Lifting you up
Just because
It’s the right thing to do