a smile lost

we’ve carried the smile of our hearts

in our hands for so long, now.
feeling safe that we would
not drop it

the love sick smile that we

once stored in that secret
special place where only
you and I knew its keep

we would bring it out

to share to pleasure upon
even when there’d be pain
and turmoil rampant
we’d wrap ourselves
in our smile and all would
be fine

burning coals could be

underneath our naked feet
and we would not notice
with the nascence
of our smile

have we displaced its keep

or did it fall
slip between our fingers
while bathing in the suds of time  
rinsing in waters of complacency

will you help me find it

and grasp it tightly in our hands
shelter it in a new secret cove
not to be misplaced again