Explore "Smiles" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Smile a little, smile a little, / As you go along, / Not alone when life is pleasant, / But when things go wrong. / Care delights to see you frowning, / Loves to hear you sigh; / Turn a smiling face upon her, / Quick the dame will fly.
Smile a little, smile a little, / All along the road; / Every life must have its burden, / Every heart its load. / Why sit down in gloom and darkness, / With your grief to sup? / As you drink Fate's bitter tonic, / Smile across the cup.
Smile upon the troubled pilgrims / Whom you pass and meet; / Frowns are thorns, and smiles are blossoms / Oft for weary feet.
Do not make the way seem harder / By a sullen face, / Smile a little, smile a little, / Brighten up the place.
Smile upon your undone labor; / Not for one who grieves / O'er his task, waits wealth or glory; / He who smiles achieves. / Though you meet with loss and sorrow / In the passing years, / Smile a little, smile a little, / Even through your tears.