by Janice Scott-Reeder
Tears in the night
that no one sees,
Pillow clutched in loneliness.
Life goes by at breakneck speed,
leaving your head to spin.
Cries in the night
of so much despair,
tossing and turning in frustration.
Life's one expressway passing by.
You can't get your feet on the ground.
Quiet in the day,
don't let them see,
pain or sorrow or loneliness.
Laugh the hardest like you were taught.
Smile and be the strongest.
Survive in the day,
don't let them know,
the helper can't need help.
Weakness is the unforgivable sin.
Never let them see your fear.
Live a life of lies,
no one need ever know,
the pain and sorrow within,
is easily covered in smiles and laughter.
Never let them see your weakness.
Live a life of comforting,
given to others so freely,
never once received.
And if your heart should break,
Cover it in smiles and cry in the dark.
Life becomes a slow death,
the pain and torture continue.
Both flesh and mind burn.
There's nothing you can do about it.
It's their illusion not yours.
Live a life of smiles.
Live a life of lies.
It's the life you were taught,
but not the one you sought.
Can this truly be my reality?