Why Do I Smile?

Poem originally written by Rene Harris and dedicated to her husband, Henry B. Harris, early in their marriage. At some later date, she scrawled the words very large on a sheet of paper with the annotation that it was first written in 1903.

Why do I smile? It’s very queer
That you should ask me that my dear
Because of you I smile – don’t scoff
I’ve wiped and wiped but it won’t come off.

I’m just so glad. I love you so
The little smile, it will not go.

But when you’re gone I greatly fear
The smile will fade away my dear
I’ll not be glad. I’ll just be sad
Till you return to me my lad