She smiles for me today,  

Having watched patiently, willing to see,

           and she smiles.

Not that the grieving is over,

           nor are the tears fully shed,

But she holds our shared heart, so she knows,

           and she smiles.

A smile framed with lips of perfection,

           paired with starlight deep in brown eyes.

The song of the “brown-eyed girl,” was hers.

How she’d dance, swaying with arms overhead,

           and she’d smile.

Her smile was mischief. Her smile was light.

She captured through it, a bittersweet trap,

To be held in it’s grasp for all time.

           I wouldn’t leave if released.

She is life, though breathless, unseen,

           away, at least on this plane.

Her life and love will be borne by those captive,

In testament to her grace.

I bear this with pride and with purpose,

Knowing what she wants for me, expects of me,

           and she smiles.