The Blank Smile

"Just a thought," they said. A small,

precise knife, wrapped in felt.

It cut, of course. I let it fall.

The sting was something I have felt

before. The way the words would turn

just so. To seem like help. But meant

to burn. And I, I didn't learn.

Just offered up the smile I sent.

Too wide, perhaps. A little blank.

My eyes, they tried to look so clear.

The quiet hum. The cold, wet plank

of understanding, settled near.