Imitate

Smiling just to let it be seen,
awkwardly loosening my face
in an attempt to reflect the emotion on yours;
Even if it's only a polite on-the-surface
that just makes me a truer mirror,
for I can't quite place your name or face,
and don't remember if we've even met,
or if we're merely both "friend of a friend".
Stuck in this awkward moment, I smile a little harder
and wait for you to be the first to turn away.

Author notes

I've done this so many times: someone smiles at me, so I'm forced to smile back while frantically trying to remember if I know them.

A contest entry

Pick a word - Write a poem in 10 LINES or Less (I) by The Fun House. 1050 points, ended January 3, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest

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Comments

By me, right now

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The Fun House
January 3

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A smile is a wonderul disease isn't it. I believe they truly speak soul to soul when they are genuine. Great job here.
Drowned Ophelia
December 27, 2008

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Haha great poem! I've had this happen many times before, and your poem really expresses it perfectly. Isn't the feeling akward? I especially like the last line. Bravo!