My Big Smile

By Avery Ellenwood

I’ve always had a big smile.

A smile that presses my chubby cheeks up towards my eyes, making them squint.
A smile that causes little dimples on both sides of my lips.
A smile that gets tired quickly because it takes too much work to hold up.
It’s a smile that’s gone through changes, but always stayed the same.

I’ve always had a big smile.

A smile that was full of crooked teeth when I was little.
A smile that is in every picture or home video from so many years ago.
A smile that endured two face plants and knocked out front teeth.
It’s a smile that’s gone through changes, but always stayed the same.

I’ve always had a big smile.

A smile that got railroad tracks and then perfectly straight teeth.
A smile that is in every picture from my teenage years.
A smile that shows up everytime I laugh and shows true happiness.
It’s a smile that’s gone through changes, but always stayed the same.

But a big smile is capable of a big frown.

Lately my smile isn’t as big.
Lately my smile hides away.
Lately my smile shows when I’m with other people, but when I’m alone fades.
It’s a smile that’s gone through changes, and realized more are coming.

There are plenty of things to frown about.

A pandemic that’s taken my senior year away.
No sports, dances, or even school to attend.
College to plan for, and money to worry about.
Feeling like real life will never be the same.

But this big smile will get through it all.

It will push my chubby cheeks up towards my eyes, making them squinty.
It will cause little dimples on each side of my lips.
It will still get tired quickly because it takes too much work to hold up.
I’ve always had a big smile, a smile that’s gone through changes, but one that will
always remain the same.
Inspiration
Poem taken from the film, “10 Things I Hate About You”

I hate the way you talk to me

And the way you cut your hair

I hate the way you drive my car

I hate it when you stare

I hate your big dumb combat boots

And the way you read my mind

I hate you so much that it makes me sick

It even makes me rhyme

I hate the way you're always right

I hate it when you lie

I hate it when you make me laugh

Even worse when you make me cry

I hate the way you're not around

And the fact that you didn't call

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you

Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.