I walked upon the street one day
with a smile upon my face.
Jack Frost bit hard upon my nose,
and so I quickened pace.
A man looked up from shoveling snow,
his strained face gazed at me.
Suddenly the strain changed to a glow
for a smile is contagious as can be.
I passed a mother pushing her child
all wan and tired was she.
She saw my smile, her thoughts did change:
life wasn’t so bad, was plainly seen.
I met an old lady crossing the street,
she was frail and her gait was not free
I continued to smile as I helped her across,
and she smiled right back at me.
I walked upon the street one day
and sorrow filled my soul.
My smile was gone, my face did say,
“Help me! Take away this scowl.”
A prancing youth came whistling by
his thoughts on joy did bend.
Before he passed, he looked at me
and a broad smile did he send.
A deep calm grew within me,
and tension left my mind.
I knew ’twas God’s power from above,
had sent youth to be kind.
To one and all, this would I say,
when on life’s journey bent,
please, smile at others on your way.
It will not cost you a cent!
~ Dorothy Cox-Scruton
