A single tear tripped down his cheek
And perched itself on tip of lip.
He knew that I had seen it run,
So came out with a shotgun quip

"The smoke from fire, caused eyes to smart"
I said to him "There is no fire".
The honest truth he would not give
What more from him could I enquire?

Born in a time of sterner stuff
He wouldn't want to show lost grip
But carved in mind, I know him well
White lie from him, I'll let it skip

He thinks it's weakness on display
A bleeding heart should not be seen,
Emotions at the end of day
Should slip behind a smokey screen