Behind the Smile

by Kenneth Vincent Walker / October 26th, 2025

What has always been
Perplexing to me is why
Humans smile and show
Their teeth to greet one

Another, even complete
Strangers. On the contrary,
In the animal kingdom the
Showing of one’s teeth is a

Warning not to proceed, to
Be on guard of imminent
Danger to be unleashed.
I figured out why humans

Show their teeth, it’s simply
Because they are mostly all
Flat minimizing the danger;
All the while a smile masks

Deception, yet uncovered.

Kenneth Vincent Walker is a "New Formalist" Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Performer, and Author of Borderline Absurd (An Exercise in Rhyme and Reason), published by Poem Sugar Press 2015. Read other articles by Kenneth Vincent.

This article was posted on Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 8:00am and is filed under Poetry.