It's a facade

Oh! I'm tired Drained by this charade This masquerade of a ball An illusion empty of dancers, no costume, no mask Fatigued by an endless series of mirages Hope has finally bent Dragging me down, weighing me down in the dumbs I rise or try But my head is heavy with weary Dread pulls me under and I drown My howls for help are a whisper in the wind I can't smile, I don't know how Have been wearing this facade For too long, it's all I know Should I raise my lips in a grin Or bare my teeth naked like a dog I can't laugh no more, Have forgotten what laughter sounds like I tried sometime Only a croak came out An alien sound chasing off echoes Tormenting my already lost soul My eyes glisten in the light Not for the sparkle of new love But of tears so long unshed Harbouring in the brim of my lids In the cracks of my pretense... For so long my lips have been sealed I have been quiet Like a mason's craft I have been still like statues at the cemetery I have played my part The veil is lifted Curtains are drawn Now I am tired, I am weary Of this charade, this masquerade Now i want to be free of this facade. (c) Moliehi Molupe 2017