Cold December Day

The silence was deafening that day,
The air heavy,
With everything
They could not say.

And the sickly
Sweet smell
Of the lilies,
Suffocating.

My face aching,
From offering smiles
Of comfort,
Assurance it would be
OK.
Drained and hollow,
Empty.

And you find me
Ask how I am,
‘I’ve been better’
I reply
With a smile,
My first in a while.

You cringe
At your insensitivity
And I laugh,
Because I love that smile,
That gift of normal,
A breath of fresh air
On that cold December day.