Braces

I loved smiling.

I loved laughing,

out loud,

really loud.

But I never chose

to change my teeth.

They were perfectly

imperfect.

I never asked

for money to be spent

on me.

To change my teeth.

I loved smiling

with all my heart.

Yet, they decided

to cover it up,

with ceramic and metal.

Made me feel ashamed

of my own smile.

And now,

I rarely smile.

Thank you,

Mother.