i smile
when people walk past me.

i smile
when people look at me

i smile
when people talk to me.

i smile
when people make fun of me.

i smile
when people laugh at me.

i smile
when people talk about me.

i smile
when it is expected of me.

i smile here
and i smile there.

i smiled then
and i smile now.

but inside,
i never smile.

because those smiles
never touch my eyes.

those smiles are just a way
to hide what i really feel.

those smiles
are not real.