trapped in masks for three long years
many people
can't remember how to smile anymore
should eyes be opened or closed
how about the mouth
and should the eyebrows and mouth corners
be lifted up
or pulled down
there’s really no need to spend money
to find a smile consultant
just go outdoors
and look at the flowers
blooming with innocent smiles
from the ground that was once covered
with heavy snow and ice
William Marr, a Chinese American scientist/poet/artist, has published over 30 collections of poetry and several translations. His poetry has been translated into more than ten languages and is included in high school and college textbooks in Taiwan, China Mainland, England, and Germany. A former president of the Illinois State Poetry Society, he now lives in Chicago.
