Standing in line at the bookstore
muttered words,
Just another semester.
Downtrodden and depressed,
a familiar voice
and a tap on the shoulder.
Turning to face the sound
"Just remember.....
Hope dies last."
He was gone.

A shell of a former self
walking slowly to class
head down, somber gait
entering the room, eyes hidden
another familiar face,
jokes break the ice.
A smile graces the lips
as a handsome stranger
whispers these words,
"Always smile no matter 
how sad, for you never know
who's falling in love 
with your smile."

Eyes brightened as class began, 
the smile remained on those lips.
Throughout the class,
eyes met, the tiny smile
growing with each passing moment.

Two months later,
that smile's still there
a handsome stranger no more
now the gatekeeper 
of her heart.