Immortal Smile by Tatiana Pahlen

Immortal Smile
In Memory of Jean Paul Anges
By Tatiana Pahlen

Endlessly I think of you and smile
your flawless art to lighten up the room,
while all around melts and falls apart
in a noxious memory of winter’s gloom,
you’re in denial.

With you I learned how to humor death
from songs you hummed sporting a pirate’s patch,
sobbing like a somber monk,
you praised the sailors drowned in scotch
to meet their faith.

I hear your heartbeats clearly far away
your eyes are brighter than the morning sky
and smile is fierce that soothes my pain like ice.
I never had a chance to say goodbye.
Endlessly I think of you and smile.