His Smile
Some smiles are said to light up a room.
His smile sent a shiver through people.
Some smiles bring a ray of warmth and happiness flowing through you.
His smile placed a frigid taste in the atmosphere.
A smile is like sunshine, rainbows and unicorns to little ones.
His smile spooked children to hide behind their Mother’s apron.
Some smiles generate many others.
His smile sent a streak of suspicion through adolescents.
At night he lay a single rose on a tiny grave while his smile creased into tears.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is such a sad and unexpected ending to your story, Margarida. I anticipated that there was something sinister about your protagonist, then you fooled me again with your ending. Nicely done.
Carrie, thanks for your rich compliments. As readers we have different personalities, backgrounds and cultures, so our interpretations of a reading are so vast. My protagonist was missing something essential in his life.
Admittedly, if I had met him on the street other than perhaps saying, “Good morning,”. I would have shied away.
Margarida, this story has an unexpected ending. Good job. I wonder whose grave the tiny one where he laid a rose.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks for your kind comments, Thompson. Placing the rose suggests that the grave is one of a loved one; one held very close and precious. The “tiny grave” suggests a dear child or even a beloved pet.
The first question that comes to mind with your story, Margarida, is ‘what lies behind his smile’? His tears in the final line suggest a heartbreaking tragedy. How many of us put on a painted smile? A story that leaves me wondering! Very well written, as always.
Thank you, Linda for your rich feedback. I am happy that I left you thinking and wondering about “His Smile”, which is open to interpretations on many levels. Sometimes we dismiss a person with a grumpy face as grouchy while recognising a smiley face as happy. We fail to question whether the expression is a facade? Often we don’t see some inherent problems such as financial woes, marital problems or depression.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYour twist, in the end, is really unexpected. That twist is like a punch that hit me and brought tears to my eyes. Well done, Margarida.
Thank you, Lotchie for reading “His Smile” and your flattering feedback. So glad that my writing moved you. I think tears help us cleanse ourselves and show compassion.
You’re always welcome, Margarida.
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