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enjoy this writing from Brian Looney in the free 6" x 9" 2014 PDF file chapbook: I Love the Petting Zoo (click on the front cover image or the title text to download the free PDF file)

Order this writing in the book One Solitary Word the cc&d July - Dec. 2014 collection book		get the 402 page July - Dec. 2014 cc&d magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Smile

Brian Looney

    “Fine. I will try to smile more,” I resignedly told my doctor. My head was trapped between the bars. First comes one and then the other. Smile first, then freedom follows. Smile now, no matter how hypocritical it may seem.

    Such an excellent case of mimicry. Like that lemur at the petting zoo. Developed the ability to roll its lips into its cheeks and imitate a human smile, ghastly though it was. Like curtains opening symmetrically to reveal rows of mismatched teeth at rest upon an undergrowth of blackened gums.

    This trick brought it all the treats—the finest that the feeding farm provides. Rewards, because of imitation. Smiled just like every toothy human in the place—except my troubled self, of course. All because it had adapted, became meek, meek, meek.
And it’s treats today, but whips tomorrow. Small wonder that my eyes are dark.

    But I told my doctor I would smile more.
    She says the very act of smiling is therapeutic.
    So I will try to smile, to smile like a lemur.
    I told my doctor that I love the petting zoo.

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