I told someone once
That they looked beautiful when they smiled
They turned and glared at me, remarking
'At least I don't have smile lines'

I,
Of course,
Do

Oh, these canyons of joy
Mountains of inexpressible bliss
Why are you frowned upon?
Why must we look on you with distain?
I have a whole world's geography on my face

I have one for meeting my little sister
One for riding a bike by myself for the first time
One for my final curtain call
One for loving a boy
One for losing him
One just because
One for rainy days
One for aceing that math test
One for meeting my best friend
One for laughing with her
One for discovering that life might not be so bad after all

I rejoice in the beauty of these lines
For I'd rather have these scars of my happiness
Than have none and be without hope