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Smiling to convince yourself you’re happy
Smiling because your face is frozen
Smiling because the muscles are pulling in the wrong direction
Smiling to stop from crying at 1 am
Laughing at the child’s laughter
Laughing when they’re peaceful at play
Laughing when the small fingers point at someone else
Laughing when you’re not the chosen one
Waiting because the money isn’t there
Waiting because you need support
Waiting until you have more space
Waiting because your only abundance is time
Aging because that’s the natural order
Aging because your hips creak with each step
Aging because your mom was geriatric
Aging because there’s muscle underneath the fat
Childless if not for wanting
Childless because you were a child of narcissists
Childless because a child you remain
Childless because the plates will never balance
Childless because the universe keeps moving forward
Childless because fairness never swings your way