=(

it hurts to smile.
an unbearable kind of hurt. and even thinking about parting my lips into an upward curve sends a sharp spear into my body.
i run my fingertips over the surface of my face and pretend not to hurt. not to cry every time i want to smile.
i wipe the black tears from beneath my eyes and think, hope, pray that someday the heat will fade.
because it hurts to smile.
and i had to kiss it goodbye a long while ago.
so relaxing my mouth, i fog up the mirror and draw a smile beneath my reflection.
because i can't smile.
it hurts to smile.