Smile is bright as the sun
silvery like the moon that rises
but to sail in the sea of my tear;
I look more naked in their focus --
I'm a forlorn beach
crumpling under the claws of crabs
reeking in the rotten shells of tortoise and snails
I can't catch the crabs
that are brisk and pinching
nor save the decay under the ribs.
That is why I cannot smile
when you are in sweats and tears:
your tears may be as beautiful
as dew drops to woo love and float the ferry of letters.
Better weep bitterly to sail and sink
I cannot be so cruel to smile alone.
