Today I Failed

Today I failed.

Although I'm behind my mask

you stop to ask "are you okay?"

I simply nod my head.

Behind this sheath you don't see the tears I shed.

My face grows hot but my hands are cold.

How much longer must I pretend to me what I am not?

Each year the mask grows in size to shield reality from my eyes.

The pain is too great, my frown is too large, eyes are too dull.

Maybe this is just a stage, a lull of life that happens.

Or maybe, it is a sign from nature to answer its call.