Faces (Written Amid The Masses At Disney World!) Poem by Jay Loring

People, people, everywhere...
a constant endless flow.
And each is going somewhere,
but to where, I do not know.

The din of voices, the padding of feet,
the occasional nod of the head when they greet.
A sea of colors of endless hues...
reds, yellows, whites and blues.

A million faces - wide and sleek.
No two alike; they're all unique.
Some faces smooth, with grins to their ears!
Others are wrinkled and showing the years.

But each in its own way revealing the tide
of the life that's been lived by the person inside.
Some bear a sadness with such certainty,
that even the most casual observer can see.

Their pain has defined them, it's part of their life.
I wonder just what might have caused them such strife.
Was it failure or sickness, or some tragic loss?
A loved one, a business, or some other cross?

Whatever the reason, it's clear that the grace
of a smile long ago disappeared from their face.
Still others are filled with concern, their brows knit.
The weight of the world on their shoulders does sit.

And so, they can't see, through their labored disguise,
the joy that is there, just in front of their eyes.
You see, they're too busy, and with what? Well, God knows...
to stop, smell or even to see that small rose.

Still others are filled with a wonder so bright
that it shines on their face like a full moon at night.
The world is their canvas, and this is their start;
transforming their life to a great work of art!

It troubles them not that the canvas is bare.
They see that potential abounds everywhere.
And yet other faces seem only to hide
the joy or the woe or the fear that's inside.

Their faces blank - they give no clue
to mysteries old or wonders new.
I thought I saw...ah, but then I lost it.
It may be that they're just exhausted.

The thought came to me, turning introspectively,
'Just what do people see, when they're looking at ME? '
Does my face offer hope, does it cause them to smile?
Does it give them the strength to go on one more mile?

Or is it a sad face...and all full of woe?
Do they think, 'Now there's someone I DON'T want to know! '
Or is it all twisted, contorted with care,
as if all the weight of the world's mine to bear?

Am I part of the problem, or part of the cure?
I do want to know, 'cause I'm not really sure.
For perhaps with a smile I might just show care
to a soul that is burdened with too much to bear.

And the bright ray of sun that my smile has just freed,
it might warm the cold ground of my brother in need.
They say the eyes are the light of the soul.
So, let's start out each day with a prayer and a goal:

To live out each day with contentment and grace,
and to always leave out with a smile on our face.
For surely it can't be that hard, for our part,
not to think of ourselves, but to bless someone's heart.