Smile!
by Valerie Parente

Why does he care
if I smile
without caring
about what makes me smile?

Something about the curvature of my mouth
makes him feel better about himself.
They say this is a man’s world
and this man’s world is burning
but if I can’t smile on command
that’s more concerning
because then we would have to address
that this world is inadequate
but they want us complacent
so they tell us to fake it
but by all means, it’s reprehensible
if a woman doesn’t smile against her will.

– Valerie Parente (9-18-2026)