smile of a cold heart

behind the smile of a seemingly

cold heart

may very well be a lack of trust

a lack of hope in humanity &

a lack of need for things that the rest

still believe are

necessities,

for it takes a while to get this way,

it takes a lot of being lied to

it takes a lot of being let down

it takes a lot of being thrown to the side

like garbage

&

it takes the will to develop a thick skin &

a cold heart,

despite what the romantics

vomit out their pie hole---

these days take their toll

differently on us all

they make the kindest dead inside

slowly, over time,

as punch after punch

comes flying in the face

regardless of the numbered bruises

which build up &

build up, not really providing many

options

to those who choose to stick around

rather than putting a barrel in their

mouth,

so it is what it is &

though some may even fear such

people, because they walk with a

true grit reality, which cannot be shaken

by anything,

you will not find a better example of

character, nor will you find a stronger

shoulder to lean on,

when the s**t hits the fan.