Smile for the Camera

I remembered when I was much younger

I used to run away and hide

when people gathered for a group photo

I remember my mum putting lipstick on me

fixed my hair and told me to smile

I remembered feeling so awkward, standing

next to those other kids with shiny hair,

bright-coloured clothes and of course

a big grin on their face

My family used to think

I’m incapable of smiling naturally

for the camera

my sister said 2 out of 3 pictures

I would be closing my eyes

so she took more and more

maybe I am socially awkward

maybe I can only smile when I saw a puppy

on the street or when I looked up to the sky

and realized how blue it is

yes, I will be smiling

more to my loved ones

more to myself

more to those who are kind to me

and less for the flashlight

of a camera.

t.l.