The Mask

My heart did don a mask one day Now do you wonder why? For I’m too scared to show the world I’m weak enough to cry. It’s donned the mask of smiles Of saying “I’m okay”, Of feelings never mentioned If the peace I’d thought they’d sway. For I thought I’d be well-liked; I’d thought that I’d belong, If I’d wear this martyr-mask of mine And show them I was strong. So now they call me pleasant Yet it’s not the me that’s real, For a heart is not connectable When you’ve robbed its right to feel. And as my mask grew bigger I watched it shrink my me, For I felt compelled to shape myself To what the world wants me to be. I’m marching all alone now In this useless masquerade Where passerbies don’t stop to cheer For life’s not a charade. How can you know the actor’s thoughts As he stands there on the stage? Or see the young bird learn to fly If it’s locked up in its cage? How can you glue the shards of glass If you never knew they broke? Or take back hurtful words That you never knew you spoke? I tried to protect others By hiding deep within But still they’re getting hurt now Because they’re not invited in! For if they’d come I’m scared to know What monsters they would find That wear the mask of “all is good” And act too sweet and kind. So as you see, I became my mask And I caused my heart to die, For beneath this martyr-mask of mine I’m now to numb to cry. I’ve lost that gift of living We’re now too far apart, So if you’re ever in the graveyard Please bring me back… my heart.