The Killing of The Cheshire Cat

Laughter lines lost in darkness
Sharpness drawn in and up
with a pencil
Stencilling happiness upon a face
like those dolls; all china and lace
and like every other.
Only you discovered a hairline
fracture
Captured a
glimpse of a secret smile, within – worn and thin
with nothing but
honesty
Lined in imperfect lipstick
and now, your kiss