Unearthed thanks

By J. T. Norbi

You smile, shake your head
You grin, laugh it off
Giggle, you shrug it off 

That's my job
It’s what I'm paid for 
You don't need to say thanks 

Yet

Behind your smile 
Your tears
Despite the grin
The hidden pain
The giggle which masks 

The pain 

You so effortlessly slice
Once on duty
No longer a part of the you 
On show
Grin, bear, grit, sweat
Blood, tears, sustain, maintain 

Until at home
The seams tear
The waves engulf 
Overwhelm 
Leak and boil over

You too confront the same 
Same pain, same strife
Sans the ease of the cushioned life
Stich, borrow, juggle 
No fat wallet 

But before the next shift
The toil and grind of another day
Or daybreak 

Heroically, 

You gather the pieces 
The broken pieces 
Set and fix your face
Face the unforeseen day

Smile in place, 
Placating tone
At the ready
Reassure, clean, point out
And crack a joke

Who sees you 
But your thanks
Is unearthing 
As the veil drops
We see so clearly 

Thank you, merci beaucoup 
Gacias, openo, 
Without you
We couldn't have made it

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Written Word ‘Soul’ poems