smile of a cold heart

behind the smile of a seemingly
cold heart
may very well be a lack of trust
a lack of hope in humanity &
a lack of need for things that the rest
still believe are
necessities,
for it takes a while to get this way,
it takes a lot of being lied to
it takes a lot of being let down
it takes a lot of being thrown to the side
like garbage
&
it takes the will to develop a thick skin &
a cold heart,
despite what the romantics
vomit out their pie hole---
these days take their toll
differently on us all
they make the kindest dead inside
slowly, over time,
as punch after punch
comes flying in the face
regardless of the numbered bruises
which build up &
build up, not really providing many
options
to those who choose to stick around
rather than putting a barrel in their
mouth,
so it is what it is &
though some may even fear such
people, because they walk with a
true grit reality, which cannot be shaken
by anything,
you will not find a better example of
character, nor will you find a stronger
shoulder to lean on,
when the shit hits the fan.