On the outside,

People around me can see a large smile,

Which is planted on the "mask" I wear.

Those people are smiling as well.

They're laughing, joking around,

And sharing lasting memories.

But they don't know what's behind the "mask",

What truly lies within me.

On the inside,

It's quiet and dark,

Like an abandoned building.

You can see the thick tears,

Streaming down from my bloodshot eyes,

From all the pain I've endured before.

It's nothing you would expect,

That's only because you've been fooled by my "mask".

"But why?" you may ask, "Why must you cover this up from us?"

I'll shake my head as my response.

"None of you would understand," I'd say.

"None of you would want to help me,

And I don't want you to feel sorry for me,

I don't want you to bring you down to my level."

With that, I'd turn away from you,

Putting back my "mask" on.