Starving Behind a Smile

His dazzling smile infuses joy in others
His bright shining eyes open the eyes of all he meets
Words of kindness drip like sweet honey from his lips
Humor that breaks into the laughter of millions
Acts of selfless compassion are always his calling card
Always helping, always strong, always letting the sad and depressed feed upon his abundant life force

I wonder where he is?
Who he is raising and healing this day with the balm of his generous soul?
Who is smiling and laughing joyously at his exuberant comedy?
Whose mind is he illuminating, with the light of his brilliance?
He must surely be the happiest of souls, so full of love, so full of life, so full of joy and laughter

What? That cannot be. NO!!
it’s not possible!
How could that happen? How could such a bright, loving soul do that to himself?
Oh God!!

What sadness was there behind that smile?
What darkness behind those shining eyes?
What melancholy behind the laughter?
What pain and despair was left unspoken, unseen, unheard?
What compassion he starved for and was never offered?
How long he gave away his life until none was left for him?

The world is darker
Now that he is gone