Brian's Special Smile

Actually, every smile of Brian's was special.
If he was smiling because he was happy,
It was like sunshine breaking through clouds.
If he was smiling because he had done something right--
And was glad to know so--his smile was especially bright.
If he was smiling because he was happy for someone,
Who had found something good in life, or something good happened,
His smile was like that of an angel, so benevolent and full of good will.
The most sacred and life-loving smiles I ever saw on his face,
Were when he was thanking the Lord, or thinking of God's grace.
Then, when something struck him as funny--a joke, or some TV skit--
Or even something that had just happened, that seemed funny to him--
Then he smiled not only with his mouth, but with his eyes--
His mouth showing his bright perfect teeth, like a piano keyboard,
And his eyes crinkling at the corners, and shining with mirth and joy.
Brian had a wonderful laugh, too--always hearty and happy.
But then he had his very special smile.
I've never seen anyone else smile like Brian.
Sometimes, when his funny bone got tickled,
Brian would start out with a laugh--but then,
What started out as laughter, turned instead into a smile.
It was a smile overflowing with the joy of life, and with love of people.
Although you didn't hear him laugh,
You could see the laughter there, in the smile.
It was laughter made visible. This was Brian's very special smile.
I've never seen anyone with a smile that beamed such beatitude.
I thought that I would never see that smile again, except in memory.
But recently, I found among the photos, a picture of Brian's special smile.
Brian's happy, laughing smile. Complete with his laughing eyes.
In spite of my grief, which made me weep to see it, it was a good surprise.
So, Brian, my life's best friend, I'm glad to say
That now I can see your special smile again, every day.



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Written by Michael LP, aka MLP
aka PoetWithCancer, aka PWC, aka (thanks to Luna Marie) Mr. Poet
Written on Thursday, May 19, 2011 2:37 pm PDT
71 degrees F. Humidity: 19% Forecast: overcast
Copyright (C) 2011 by Michael LP. All rights reserved
(I stil copyright my writings, for my estate)