You say you're fine,

Well, I know better.

I see the despair behind those smiling eyes,

The shame inside that beating heart.

I want to scream at you,

Don't you know about the thousand little angels?

They follow you around with sweeps of their great wings,

They pull things out of your way,

So that your path may be clear.

They lead people into your life,

So that you can speak, for they cannot.

With each strike against yourself,

Another falls away.

The thousand little angels,

Dwindle to hundreds, 

Eight, seven, six.

They crave your joy,

Your love, your laughter.

They shout,

"You are enough,

We need you,

We want you.

We love you and protect you,"

Their voices, so soft

Your mind, so deafening.

With a single angel left, 

You hear a whisper,

"Smile."

You don't know why did it,

But you did.

A giggle followed the smile,

And the tears, hurt and sorrow came right behind.

You smile again, 

The ache lifting, if just for a while.

One by one, 

You hear a choir of voices, 

"Smile."

You walk towards peace,

A thousand little angels,

Right behind you.