Smiling Through Her Tears Poem by Janice M Pickett

She sat upon her Fathers knee
as he cuddled her up tight.
“I have to go away
and I’m leaving here tonight”.
Jessica’s eyes filled with fear
and Daddy kissed her cheeks
“You mustn’t be sad whilst Daddy’s gone
I’ll be back in about eight weeks”.
She tried to stay happy,
as Daddy had asked
but still young Jess was sad.
Then one night on the telephone,
she was talking to her Dad
As the tears fell she whispered,
” I’m smiling Daddy it’s true”
But her Father knew the truth
and he knew what he must do
The next day to surprise them
he turned up at the door and
Jessie flew into his arms
her body shaking to the core
The light shone in her tiny eyes
they hugged the day away
“I was REALLY brave daddy”, chortled Jess,
” I smiled for you every day”