Masked Tears

Masked Tears

Behind the smile I hide,

shadows press heavy on me.

The laughter is borrowed,

the joy is only a shell.

I wear this mask each day,

painted with calm and ease.

But silence knows the truth,

and silence keeps it close.

Eyes may sparkle bright,

yet no one looks too deep.

They see what they want,

never what aches beneath.

Masked tears fall quiet,

they move without a sound.

A secret river flowing,

drowning all I cannot say.

Each drop a hidden story,

each one a buried plea.

I whisper to the darkness,

but even darkness turns away.

I wonder if they feel it,

the weight my chest must bear.

Or if they only notice,

the steadiness I show.

The mask becomes my prison,

its chains are made of fear.

I long to break it open,

yet I bow to habit still.

So I keep the mask in place,

and walk into the day.

Masked tears are mine alone,

my truth remains unseen.