She smiled

Though sad at learning that her marks were poor,

She stood like a storm-tossed ship in treacherous seas,

Whilst tears filled up in those dark, beguiling eyes,

And promised to break hard on an unforgiving shore...

Yet still that vessel held and not a drop was spilled,

So that resolution became her well,

And resisted that heavy, tortured swell

Till at last, it did subside,

The clouds parted, the sun came out once more,

And slowly, ever so slowly, she smiled.