Behind this broken smile

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all.  ~Emily Dickinson


Behind this broken smile
There is a messy pile
of pages written and torn
taped together and adorned
in glitter, dried petals, and paste
her heart is a restless place

Behind this broken smile
is a wish wanting for a while
for you to stay longer than short
like the past many and more
that are to walk away later
but heartbreak is not heartshatter

Behind this broken smile
she's still a hopeful child
still her pieces remain, and pain
will not push her love over
to a brittle heart that's bitter.
Her battle will continue through
the doubts, noise, and You.

Whatever she has and will lose
is the cost of her stubborn refuse
to walk away just as they've done
for if she does, she'll lose the sun.