The Half-Truth
I fake a smile
And I think it looks real
I doubt that a soul
Really knows what I feel
I force a chuckle
Then let out a sigh
Just a few signs
That I'm telling a lie
Ask how I'm doing
I'll say that I'm fine
Go ahead, ask
And I'll mess with your mind
You begin to speak
I pretend to be listening
You start to catch on
And ask what you're missing
“Nothing,” I reply
“I'm fine, can't you see?”
But the look in my eye
Doesn't quite agree
You know me too well
Yet not well enough
You still can't tell
Why I'm acting so rough
And before long
Once more you ask me
“Really, what's wrong?”
And this time not sweetly
I make a choice
“I'm really okay!”
But there's a tone in my voice
Don't believe what I say
You roll your eyes
Which start getting wet
Conversation dies
Now we're both upset
Well, that did some good—
Now I feel worse
I bite my tongue
To stifle a curse
In rushes guilt
And I start to feel sick
My emotions tilt
I have to think quick!
I come up with something
Before you can guess
I tell you the half-truth
Maybe even less
Probably the latter
And the reason is truth
If I told you the matter
Then you would hurt too