I wake up in the mornin’, <br />A heart filled with nightmares. <br />Rollin over with a sigh, <br />Wishin’ sleep was endless. <br />Though if I don’t get up, <br />I’ll never get up. <br /> <br />Looking out the window, <br />Sun’s shinny, <br />Blinding away all the clouds. <br />Kids are laughing, smiling, <br />Playing with their teasing shadows. <br /> <br />Pulling on some jeans, <br />Ripped and torn. <br />Slip a sweatshirt over my head, <br />Keeping me safe, <br />And feeling at home. <br /> <br />Smiles don’t drive by my house no more. <br />They swerve, taking detours, <br />In their fat ass limos, <br />Touching everyone else but me. <br />If only I could catch a smile in a jar, <br />Like a frantic lightning bug, <br />Blinking tiny lights into the darkened sky. <br /> <br />Grabbing the car keys, <br />Metal scowling in my hands. <br />Kicking the car in start, <br />I turn up the music. <br />To blast away unwanted thoughts, <br />To blow away unwanted nightmares. <br /> <br />I drive and drive and drive, <br />Until the icy river greets me, <br />Like an angry cobra. <br />Parking the car, <br />Giving it a last pat of thanks, <br />As I walk away. <br /> <br />The bridge is empty, still, and quiet. <br />The river gazed up at me. <br />Laughing, seeming to dare me, <br />Daring me to make the last leap. <br />I gazed back, thinking of the lost smiles. <br />I climbed aboard the bridge rail, <br />And gave the brutal cobra his morning wish.<br /><br />jess schwarcz<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/abandoned-smiles/
