Masks

If I put on a mask,

can you see that I'm crying,

if I smile and wave,

can you see that I'm dying?

On the outside it looks like everything's fine

But on the inside I'm beginning to slowly unwind

This truth that I hold to,

the truth that I know,

it's fading so quickly,

but at the same time so slow.

People will question if I am alright

Then I tell them I'm fine,

I'll get through the night.

But there's this part of me that wonders

if something is wrong.

But I guess I'll pretend,

I'll just play along.

We use these fake faces,

these masks that distort

our true form, our identity,

it's become like a sport.

With winners, and losers,

with being the best,

with passing or failing

these difficult tests.

But if you do fail,

and you don't stay on track,

life will hit harder,

life will bite back.

But if you overcome this,

get better, get stronger,

maybe hold on

just a little bit longer.

If you put on that mask,

nobody has to know,

just smile, they tell you,

and go with the flow.