Kid-napped - Sept. 19, 2026

I have a thing about those

who speak and never expose

a single smiling tooth

I wonder what happened

to their inner child, maybe

kidnapped, imprisoned,

in solitary confinement

and for what, acting foolish

laughing too loudly

daring to have fun?

well, I think hard eyes

and a jutting jaw look stupid

on folks pretending to be adults

when they’re no more than large,

better-dressed children

and hiding the one thing

that will bring them joy . . .

their own innocent smile