we are all sloppy truths
an ugly and beautiful portrait
that could use a lot more lighting
near the corners and
not just that spotlight
on the smile
to know me or you and the one
who painted us don’t you think
every part needs illumination -
the scary characters that hang
around the edges of our frames
and those ones hording stories
that need encouragement to speak?
Mona Lisa tried to put
her best foot forward
and you can see how
she stumbled on the way
making us forever question
what is it that lurks
beyond the edge
of a dishonest smile?