If I make someone smile

I have known beauty in art,
in nature, and in bodily form,
once I was beautiful and I enjoyed
it and all the access it gave me

I have read, I have written,
I have been over-educated
I have known both the ease
and burdens of privilege

but in all the ugliness that comes with life,

I have known what it is to be awake,

for a few moments at least,

or maybe I had the delusion that I was,

which I’ll take just the same.

That is not me,

But only what I let you see.

I am more complicated than you will ever know.

And yet I am really very simple,

I still naively expect the best from people.

Something I always try to give others,

Honesty, caring, mindful of feelings, doing what I can.

If I make someone smile,

If I help someone understand something,

If I make a difference,

I am successful.