Mona

she isn't smiling
she didn't feel like smiling
come on, he coaxed
just a little smile, for me?
he pleaded
a young woman should never be without
  a smile,
he chided
a face as beautiful as yours—
he flattered
she gave up, she gave in
she smiled
it felt fake, it felt stupid
but i'm smiling, okay
are you happy now?
    he scheduled another sitting

she still wasn't smiling
she didn't feel like smiling
come on, he coaxed again
just a little smile—
to thine own self be true
she refused
he felt threatened
it was a sacrilege
so he righted the wrong
tried to project the curve of her lips
didn't do so well
    he scheduled another sitting

what's the big deal
she grinned
this smile could be the face
of any number of thoughts
it's a mystery only to minds
not expecting, unable to consider
anything on a woman but that
vapid shallow simple girlish
   smile

he went back to the original
unsmiling