Alix in Wonderland

On my bookshelf stands a massive anthology of the Romantic poets. I’ve always been a fan but today is the first time that I’ve opened it to choose a poem to post here. The honours go to William Blake and the power of a smile. Because we all know that a smile goes a long way.

There is a smile of love, 
And there is a smile of deceit, 
And there is a smile of smiles
In which these two smiles meet. 

And there is a frown of hate, 
And there is a frown of disdain, 
And there is a frown of frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain; 

For it sticks in the heart’s deep core, 
And it sticks in the deep back bone, 
And no smile that ever was smil’d 
But only one smile alone,

That betwixt the cradle and grave
It only once smil’d can be; 
But when it once is smil’d, 
There’s an end to all misery.

William Blake