Behind the bastion of my smile,

is a boy, scared, neurotic, and trapped

He speaks loud, walks tall, acts proud,

But deep down he does not know where to go,

 

He is scared that he might not be good enough,

Scared that he will be left by his friends,

Scared for what the future holds

Scared for himself

 

He is trapped in his own thinking mind,

Trapped by others expectations,

Trapped by his doubts,

Trapped by me.

 

But yet, the same boy is a man,

A man who has pushed friends through hard times

A man who is fearless, a man who is loyal, a man who is strong

He does not falter

 

He saves those hurting from themselves,

He holds those close who need an embrace,

 He protects those who cannot protect themselves,

He is the one people need.

 

The two, the boy and the man,

They live together, a balance that constantly is fighting,

Today, tomorrow, and forever,

Though behind a shroud, their work is noted.