camouflage

 
I pretend
slap on the mask everyone expects
it's what we do
...isn't it
cover our nudity
our vulnerability
eyes do not always See
truth is...

I
am
not
okay

regardless what my lips might say
I hate to be so weak
but I must caution
tread carefully
look at me crooked
& I will flinch
if your voice rises
tears will flood my eyes
& the burn of holding back
angers me
until I turn away
stepping further into shadows
free to break
into a million scattered tatters
unseen
darkness comforts when daylight hurts
too bright for wounds exposed inside
so...
I slip on this disguise
act like everything's alright
but I'm not...
...not yet anyway...