For the first time in a long time, she can
genuinely smile without throwing salt
over her shoulders or knocking on wood
out of fear that her happiness will be
short-lived because of her involvement
with a man who felt miserable in his skin.
His sole mission was to make her feel
uncomfortable in her place of rest; he frowned up
on anyone with a smile, so her beautifully sculpted
teeth stayed hidden, overtime the light
from her eyes became dim;
only her fears came to life.