Between heartbeats
Sanaa -
January 12, 2026
PoetryPresent-Day Poems

I carry your smile like a secret letter,
folded
warm against my ribs.
It opens at dusk, spilling light
on my doubts,
teaching my hands patience,
my heart courage,
and every quiet night
how to love without asking,
while stars listen, believing us eternal.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

De is our lovely hostess at dVerse where the word is “Smile.” Come join us! 🍵

Posted for Quadrille #239: Smile! @dVerse Poets Pub

44 Responses

  1. De Jackson says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:06 am

    “how to love without asking”

    LOVE this, especially!

    Reply
  2. Björn Rudberg says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:07 am

    Such a smile is worth keeping and treasure… sounds perfect.

    Reply
  3. Lisa says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:25 am

    “I carry your smile like a secret letter” is so precious, Sanaa.

    Reply
  4. Laura Bloomsbury says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:42 am

    that smile is such a profound keepsake – beautiful composed Sanaa

    Reply
  5. Gillena Cox says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:43 am

    Bravo
    Luv the warmth in your carried smile

    🎇much love

    Reply
  6. Petru says:
    January 13, 2026 at 4:56 am

    A treasure!

    Reply
  7. CHRISTINE BIALCZAK says:
    January 13, 2026 at 5:19 am

    A beautiful treasure indeed!

    Reply
  8. Ron. says:
    January 13, 2026 at 6:22 am

    My hat is off. Marvelous smilecatch.

    Reply
  9. Yvonne Osborne says:
    January 13, 2026 at 6:49 am

    A smile as a love letter. I like it.

    Reply
  10. lillian says:
    January 13, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Sigh. Just sigh…..you continue to be the queen of romance!

    Reply
  11. lynn__ says:
    January 13, 2026 at 8:39 am

    Yes, this one is definitely sigh-worthy, Sanaa…a heart-throbbing smile.

    Reply
  12. Arcadia Maria says:
    January 13, 2026 at 9:23 am

    Lovely poem.

    Reply
  13. Dwight L. Roth says:
    January 13, 2026 at 9:35 am

    I love your eloquent post, Sanaa. Wonderful images!

    Reply
  14. Mrityunjay Dixit (Jay) says:
    January 13, 2026 at 11:57 am

    Damn! So sensational.

    Reply
  15. Jae Rose says:
    January 13, 2026 at 11:59 am

    I love that you have created such an expansive story in so few words – Jae

    Reply
  16. Kim M. Russell says:
    January 13, 2026 at 7:50 pm

    A gorgeous quadrille that made me smile through my tears, Sanaa, especially the thought of carrying a smile like a secret letter that ‘opens at dusk, spilling light’ on doubts.

    Reply
  17. Eric says:
    January 13, 2026 at 8:48 pm

    Gadzooks this is good!

    Reply
  18. Christine Bolton says:
    January 13, 2026 at 9:37 pm

    Ahhhh … “while stars listen”. Another beautiful poem from you Sanaa 🥰❤️

    Reply
  19. Merril D Smith says:
    January 14, 2026 at 3:55 am

    So lovely and romantic, Sanaa–that secret letter smile,
    “It opens at dusk, spilling light
    on my doubts,”–a winning smile indeed. ❤️

    Reply
  20. Sara McNulty says:
    January 17, 2026 at 9:14 am

    “how to smile without asking”

    Beautiful poem, Sanaa!

    Reply
  21. Paul Cannon says:
    January 20, 2026 at 12:08 am

    Courage and patience, yes! What a beautiful poem Sanaa, poignant.

    Reply
  22. paeansunplugged says:
    January 21, 2026 at 7:17 pm

    So, so beautiful, Sanaa! Love the opening line. 💕💕

    Reply

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