Her Smile

                       By Donald Politi

I never believed in love at first sight

It comes across as timeworn, trivial, and trite.

How that opinion has changed, and so did my life,

On that summer day when I first met my wife.

I was immediately drawn to her warm sincere smile,

And I knew we’d be together for quite a long while.

The smile greeted me during good times and bad,

Always so sweet and made my heart glad.

There was an illness unplanned that hit us so hard,

But she would come to see me with spirit unmarred.

It was the first thing I saw as she came to my room

That warm caring smile that chased away gloom.

We were together for many happy years,

And through all the laughter, aging, and tears,

Her smile is the thing that I will always hold dear,

Now that she’s gone, that memory keeps her near.

Just before leaving, she was serene and at peace,

She patted my cheek and seemed to release.

The last thing I saw as she drifted away

Was that beautiful smile I’d seen day after day.