Guarded Smile

Crooked, discolored teeth told
a tale of childhood poverty
so she guarded her smile,
hid behind her hand when laughter took over.
Mother was lovely, gentle, kind –
most beautiful –
we loved when she let her guard down.
When she smiled, sunshine warmed your heart.

Mom and Dad, circa 2005 – Mom was about 70 years old, her guard down

Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved.

Written in response to dVerse’s Quadrille #239. De Jackson is the host. Her challenge:
New to the Q? Smile! It’s simple!  
Just sling us a poem of precisely 44 words (not counting the title), including some form of the word smile. Post your poem on your own blog, and link up with us using the Mr. Linky below. Then spend awhile grinning your way through the interwebs, as you read and comment on the awesome work of your fellow poets. The Quadrille is here all week to make you smile, so be sure to come back and read (and write) some more!