LISTEN TO THE POEM BEING READ AT: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSewAcj86/

When he smiles
His mouth curves up a little 
Just a bit. The teeth don’t show. 
But sometimes a rare glimpse of ivory snow 
Peeks through. Like weathered pages 
From a book that has seen the ages; 
That has been loved, and also has
Been tossed around in the hands
Of those that loved it less -
Now hiding its parchment yellowness

When she smiles 
Her cheeks skip up, joining hands 
With the crow’s feet at the corners 
Of her eyes. Hands and feet
Join together in a wreathe 
Its flowers have been abloom a while 
Many now wear waning smiles
Just a few are waxing still
Of bountiful life taking their fill

When they look at each other 
He and she 
And they smile for all the world to see 
The mouths, the noses and the cheeks 
The enamel pearls, the crow’s feet 
All fade away as eyes light up;
Two sets of windows brighten up
Spangled pathways to twin souls.
The radiant smiles reach deep inside
To gently touch two pages bright 
Of a love story, both new and old