There are others like me,

So many others to this collective "we".

Our stories may vary,

The past are damn well scary.

Some of us have been beaten and abused,

Others are ostracized and accused.

We live lives of Hell,

Ones that we can never tell.

For if we did say,

They'd send us away,

To the guidance office.

But…

Each day we put a smile on our face,

Putting on a play, a front.

To act care free,

Able to laugh our pains away.

Why?

Because each day there is a small bit of hope…

Because we feel empty and dark,

The depression consuming.

Because we are strong even though

We feel that we are fragile.

Because tough times don’t last,

Tough people do.

So hold on…