THEY SMILE

THEY SMILE

They smile because they think

I carry a basket of food for them

They are hungry and their hunger

Has made them very thin

The water they need is near

But it is muddy, murky, not clear

It is all they have; no choice

They drink the minimal to stave off thirst

Their smiles melt your heart

What they need is a fresh start

They are bound; no way out

They are children; have no clout

They are vague about God

No one has taught them; for sure

Somehow, they still feel secure

The sun glows brightly on them

They chatter in their own tongue

They too wonder how everything

Could be so wrong, but they

Dance and sing wearing

Worn hand-me-downs.

Their mothers are weary

They have done their best

Not a moment during the day

Can they lay down and rest

The little chaps hunger will

Have to wait for a while

Their sadness is covered

With their bright smile

The world will wake up soon

Dictators will all be gone

Persecution will be in the past

You can imagine their song

We must do what we can

To help in every way

Money, food, and gifts

What else can we say

Bring the story of Jesus

How He died for our sin

He will be their hero

On that you can depend.

Stanski on July 18, 2023, ^