Smile Poem by Jim Yerman

The other day while people watching I had to stop a while
To revel in the beauty and simplicity of a smile.

The airport is a wonderful venue as people travel from east to west
To observe the smile in all it’s glory; to see it at it’s best.

Everyone is waiting...all lingering in the same place
Until they recognize their person, and a smile engulfs their face.

As I stood there watching so many different people smiling effortlessly
And thinking how the smile is ubiquitous, an old story occurred to me.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery whose book, The Little Prince, brought him acclaim
Is also remembered for his smile and a problem he overcame.

In the Spanish American War he was captured and quickly taken away.
He was thrown in jail and was certain he’d be executed the next day.

He found a cigarette in his pocket, one that had escaped the jailers sight
He motioned to that jailer, “Excuse me sir, have you got a light? ”

The jailer shrugged then walked over trying to stay detached
And in the silence of the jail he gently lit the match.

As he was lighting Antoine’s cigarette his hatred he would belie
When that jailer inadvertently looked Antoine in the eye.

At that point the jailer, his enemy, was suddenly beguiled
When Antoine in a fit of nervousness looked back at him and smiled.

As we know smiles are infectious, the jailers demeanor began to crack
For he had no choice but to look at Antoine and simply smile back.

Although they didn’t speak the same language they shared photos and hopes and fears
And as Antoine spoke of never seeing his family again four eyes filled up with tears.

Suddenly, in the stillness, Antoine’s cell opened surreptitiously
The jailer led him to the edge of town and with a smile, set him free.

Antoine returned his smile then waved and quickly ran away
Convinced throughout the rest of his life his smile saved him on that day.

Yes, the smile is universal, it’s healthy and it can ease all kinds of strife
And you never know when a simple smile might somehow save your life.