Note: Three years ago, the world lost a beautiful soul. Her smile masked a lot of pain, but it always brightened any room she was in. I wrote this poem exactly three years ago after learning she’d taken her life. It’s raw and based in pure emotion. I chose not to edit it because the quality of the poem reflects my mindset at the time. RIP Dara. You are still missed every day.

SMILE

Every day, you’d shine...