The laughter hidden underneath
the fresh coat of smiles 
painted on the bedroom walls
threatens to seep through the cracks
and spread like a golden stain,
creeping farther from the core.
But the crack is quickly plastered over
and painted with a new shade
of melancholy tinged with solitude,
and a pillow sits alone,
in the middle of a bed built for two
and watches.



march 2004