The Happy Clown

She immediately
got out of bed.
Her actions surprised me.
Usually whe wants on snooze-worth of cuddles
and a good morning stinky breath peck
on the lips.
I ask if she’s all right.
She replies, “yes, just terrific.”

I would believe her
except for the dark circles
beneath her eyes,
the product 
of a sleepless night.

Sometimes I wish
she would wear makeup
like a majority of woman
who hide their nonverbal communication
with rosy cheeks and wide awake eyes
so when she says, “YES, JUST TERRIFIC”
we can pretend together.