Built-In Smile

He always had a built-in smile;
He wore it all the time.
I never saw him with a frown;
his mood was so sublime.

He often had a friendly word.
He always was so kind.
He had an air of worthiness;
that’s what he brought to mind.

It was a joy to be with him.
He was the nicest guy.
And though he was a used car man,
I never thought he’d lie.

So trust in him is what I did
and bought that lemon car.
I drove out of the dealer’s lot
but didn’t get too far.

Some smoke poured from the engine hood,
it billowed and it blew.
I had to take some steps away
to catch a breath or two.

So I went back to talk with him
and told him of my plight.
I hoped to have him compensate,
to make this wrong a right.

But he just kept that smile on,
the one I knew so well.
That built-in smile that he wore,
the one that helped him sell.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot help.
There’s nothing I can do.
You signed here on the dotted line
and took the auto too.”

And so I learned a lesson then
that I will not forget.
Don’t ever trust a built-in smile,
or you’ll live with regret.