Mask on.

Don’t let them know.

Keep it to yourself.

The mask is slipping.

Every squeezing heartbeat.

Every single catching breath.

Every single tear that stings your face.

Readjust the mask.

Hide it all.

Smile.

They need to see perfection.

They need to ignore it too.

The mask is falling.

Their discomfort at your pain makes you the problem.

Put it back.

You don’t get to feel.

You get to smile and be numb.

You get to show up and shove everything down.

Because you being real, exhausted, heartbroken, sad… 

The mask fell.

It doesn’t fit their narrative. 

Mask on.

Be a badass.

Smile.

Feel nothing.

Lie.

-AB