Whats Behind a Smile

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The above was written immediately after I had stepped off the tube (London’s underground rail system). A young lady had sat opposite me and had had the most amazing impact upon me that I actually got scared! Blonde, blue-eyed and the most disarming smile she threw me off balance.

I had an appointment with an old friend of mine, who I was going to meet. My friend told me I looked as though I had just seen a ghost. To this very day I am still not sure I didn’t !

A few years later, James Blunt, the singer made song that was so very similar to this (“You’re beautiful”) that my friend, Caroline, called me and asked if James Blunt had hacked into my poems LOL

She broke my heart instantly She made me stare reverently Her smile was enigmatically Serene yet sad, so strange to see Not a word did she speak to me No attention did she seek from me She just sat there smiling quietly And her smile just kept on haunting me What's Behind a Smile? When I stood up she turned her head Once more that smile filled me with dread Had she understood anything I’d said? Ethereal beauty, were you alive or dead? As I stepped down from the train I turned and looked. My chest in pain. The shock at seeing her again Smiling at me through the window pane I walked away - my nerves drawn tight As the train sped off in the station’s light I stared again - I had no fight She caught my eye and smiled outright! Time’s now passed; still clear I see Her short blonde hair bobbing so gently Her bright blue eyes smiling benignly Piercing straight through my soul to me.

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Daver Austin

Date: 4/4/2016 2:53:00 PM

she sounds slightly sociopathic. Condolence and congrats. daver

Jan Allison

Date: 9/7/2014 7:23:00 AM

This is more beautiful than the James Blunt song Thomas - such a shame you never actually got to speak to her but then this poem would never have been written. I really enjoyed this write ... and yes i am smiling:-) Hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 9/7/2014 8:34:00 AM

I wonder if you would like to relive that journey - maybe you can in a dream and see what happens but the poem is is hauntingly beautiful and will always remind you of that day:-) Hugs Jan xx

Thomas Mansfield
Date: 9/7/2014 8:28:00 AM

Hi Jan. Thank you once again. Just reading about it makes my eyes water. Not crying, but with the same apprehension; "fear" if you like, that I witnessed a vision of some sort. "Ethereal beauty, were you alive or dead?" It really DOES haunt me. Not in a BAD way - but a chest tightening, breathtaking sort of way-and this is YEARS afterwards. And I am smiling too

Ara Belle

Date: 8/10/2014 9:40:00 AM

This is intense, Thomas. The kind I enjoyed reading. LoveLots, Ara

Thomas Mansfield
Date: 9/7/2014 8:29:00 AM

Thank you Arabelle x

Kika Ayala

Date: 7/26/2014 4:01:00 PM

Beautiful, romantic, inspirational write that I enjoyed reading! Best wishes.

Thomas Mansfield
Date: 9/7/2014 8:31:00 AM

Thank you Kika. Romance was not in my mind when i wrote this. It was a bare statement of stark glaring fact that left a lasting impression on me. A perfect stranger. A one off encounter that was not even an encounter. More like a visitation. This is how i feel to this day. Strange I know... but there you have it... :)