I am a daughter,

A sister,

A lover,

A friend.

I laugh because my parents want to see me happy.

I smile because big sisters don’t cry.

I love hard so we don’t fall apart.

I am a shoulder to lean on because I didn’t always have one.

I am happy,

But we are all sad.

My smile hides the tears I’ve cried,

                       and my sleeves hide the scars.