Crooked Smile
She had known pain. Living with her like a constant companion. Sometimes nudging, often poking. Always reminding her of its presence.
The hurt ever-present. Over time festering in her heart, she would lance it like a boil. Easing out the poison stopping it traveling to her very soul. Concentrating on this familiar task helped her through another day.
The pain reminded her she was alive. Without it, dead. To the observer, she was a hamster on a wheel continuously moving, going nowhere, caught in a vicious cycle. That is how I remembered her.
Now returning to that place I see her vacant look gone. Replaced with shining eyes I’d never noticed before. Knowing instinctively what happened to the pain she carried. She’d had it sliced away, leaving a scar, and she wore it proudly on her face in the form of a crooked smile.
Copyright © 2022 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing All Rights Reserved Prosery Monday at D'Verse is hosted tonight by Sarah from SarahSouthwest. She has given us a line from a poem by Michael Donaghy. "She’d had it sliced away, leaving a scar" We are to use it in exact order in our piece of fiction of exactly 144 words.
Wow that’s amazing
Thank you! ☺️
It’s my pleasure
I liked this a lot. Pain can sometimes give us an illusion that it’s all there is. It’s only when you get past it, do you truly feel alive. The shine in her eyes says a lot.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. Thank you so much ☺️ 🌺
Such a poignant gentle spin on the line, Christine. That last line brought a tear to my eye.
This is Lisa/Li not sure why showing anonymous. WP Ghost in the Machine…
Thank you Lisa! I pm happy you liked it ☺️💕 Yes those computer goblins are back anonymously 🙁
That pain reminded me of mental health…and the damaged smile that conquered it. Nice.
Thank you Darnell. Yes also any kind of abuse can affect the mental state too. Hope you’re doing well ☺️💕
I’m okay. Thank you for asking. I appreciate it.
Of course Darnell ☺️💕
Pain indeed transforms us into something we can’t imagine about ourselves❤
Yes isn’t that true Laiba. We don’t recognize what we have become. Thank you ☺️💕
Yup! indeed. Welcome❤
You’ve written a very relatable story Christine. Excellent
Thanks Sadje ☺️💕 I appreciate it
There are some great images here, and a real insight into the way pain isolates. I’m glad she ended up smiling, even if that smile was a little crooked.
Thanks Sarah. Yes! If not a crooked smile, many will always walk with a limp.
Incredible
Thank you! You’re so kind ☺️💕
Youre welcome!
Wow, that was quite a crooked twist (in a good way). ^_^
Thank you! Happy you liked it
I sure did.