Sadness with a Smile

"I am intrigued by the smile upon your face,

and the sadness within your eyes."

Jeremy Aldana

There was sadness in your eyes in spite of the smile stretched across your face.  Even the pitch of your voice sounded strained.  The dark circles under your eyes made me wonder if you had been sleeping at night or even eating during the day.

I watched your hands clenching and unclenching, wringing the handles of your bag as though you wished them to be crushed.  Wrinkled clothing and uncombed hair added to my concern.  The heart that so often extended compassion, seemed absent, not present at all.

Not knowing what to do, I reached for you, pulling you into a warm embrace.  Your body sighed, going limp as I felt the tears streaming from your face onto mine.  What in the world is going on, I wondered helplessly.  You pulled away, so I let you go.  As your unsteady gait furthered you down the road,  I cried in silence, praying for Spirit to enter your soul.