(Getting) Better

By Michael T. Smith

Were I to be honest right now I’d face

the desire to, my feelings, replace,

At least with my words to say all is fine

While my anxiety runs up a cline

To answer with the smile you want to see,

with the jollity you expect of me,

to let my words come as pre-delivered,

so my truth’s ultimately disfigured.

But were I to jump to the other side,

tell you a secret, within you confide:

me, on knees, swearing to this fleur-de-lis,

even though it makes me somewhat remiss --

It may be that things are getting better;

I, to Pollyanna, ever th’ debtor.

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Michael T. Smith is an Associate Professor of English who teaches both writing and film courses. He has published roughly 300 pieces (poetry and prose) in over 100 different journals.