A Smile

by Benita, Age 11

It costs nothing
But means so much
It enriches those who receive it
Without impoverishing those that give it

It happens in a flash
But sometimes the memory lasts forever
A smile beautifies your face
You can win a race

Let it be an unsolved case
You can solve it
With a smile on your face

None are so rich
That they can’t get on without it
None are so poor
But have the right to its benefits

Sunshine to the sad
Nature’s best antidote
In times of trouble

Yet a smile cannot be bought
Begged, borrowed, or stolen
For it is given away

Some people are too tired to give you a smile
Then leave one of yours
For no one needs a smile
So much as those who have none to give

Write a Thoughtful Poem!

This poem, Benita wrote, had a lot of thought in it. She expressed the many different ways a smile can affect others. Try writing a thoughtful poem yourself about kindness, being thoughtful to others by helping them out, or any other idea you have.