SmileRise

SmileRise - A very short poem is a hardcover book comprised primarily of the poem SmileRise, in addition to a Prologue written by the author describing philosophies, events, places (primarily in New England - Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts), encounters, people and stories that acted as major inspiration for the poem. SmileRise is a poem of our times, (but yet transcends time), pondering one endearing powerful expression, the smile. It is personal to the author, Bachar Samawi, and yet universal, as many feelings expressed in the poem are also shared by others. SmileRise poem consists of three free-form verses (despite the rhyming nature of the last verse), a cinquain reflecting on the past, a sestet reflecting on the present and a cinquain reflecting on the future; all relating to the extraordinary times of 2020-2021. Such times have caused so many smiles to disappear from plain view, but ultimately, a SmileRise is ushering in. A Prologue written by Samawi precedes the poem. It sets the stage for some of the events, places, circumstances, people and smiles that have inspired the poem. The geographic setting is primarily New England, with a focus on Southern Vermont. The reader is transported through the author's eyes, mind, heart, palate and 1991 Jeep, to experience his passion for nature, bookstores, pastries and cappuccinos, leading him to unforgettable and immortal smile encounters. SmileRise poem was shortlisted for complimentary use by the Vermont department of Health's OurShotVT campaign, while author & publisher have committed to donate at least 50% of net proceeds from SmileRise to local and global health organizations.