Zahra Gordon

People often compliment my smile

But don’t know that sometimes I smile 

to remind myself to be happy.

That sometimes a smile speaks not 

the language of laughter, but in tongues of pain. 

Sometimes a smile indicates the lonely silence 

when you don’t know how to say I’m hurting,
how to ask for help,
how to share the truths you’re denying. 

My eyes are bright not because I am radiant with joy,
but because they have been washed clean with tears

You understand. That’s why you labour over my portraits
That’s why I see you in these photos. We know the same pain.
And now, we must both know that we’re beautiful and strong
That we must keep on smiling and creating despite…