Why Smile? by Jonathan S., 702

Why Smile? By Jonathan Song
My parents
Always ask me
To smile more
To put on
A “brave face”
But what’s the point?
Why smile
When there’s nothing
To smile about
Why smile
When poverty,
Racism,
And criminals
Roam the streets?
Why smile
If the people
Of this world
Can’t make amends?
Why smile
When no one
Will appreciate it?
That’s why
I rarely smile.