You know those tears you get
When you can't stop laughing
Because you don't want to
And they just rest on your cheeks
Until you finish your laughter
And you wipe them away

You know those tears you get
When you watch a sad movie
And you feel like the characters are real
Even though they're not
And the tears just rest by your lips
Until the movie is over
And you wipe them away

You know those tears you get
When you say goodbye to a friend
And you don't want them to go
But they need to go
And the tears just rest on your chin
Quivering
Until the dust settles
And you wipe them away

You know those tears you get
When you walk down the aisle
And everything is perfect
When love is beautiful
And the tears just collect on your eyes
Until you need to blink
And you wipe them away

You know those tears you get
When you remember yesterday
And you wish it were alive again
But it isn’t
And the tears just fall to the ground
They soak into the Earth
And you can't wipe them away

A weekend planned,
A script to play,
And I must act,
No choice.
No say.

The table set with rigid fear,
Control disguised as birthday cheer.
She chose the meals, the drinks, the place.
Expects a smile worn on my face.

They call it love, this brittle hand,
But freedom's not what she demands.
It’s presence first, performance too.
And silence when it’s hurting you.

Because to say ‘this isn’t me’
Would shatter the pretence they see.
No choices left, not even small.
Not food, not voice, not will at all.

But still I’ll go,
I always do,
Guilt screams too loud, for me not to.
And when I cry once they’re asleep,
It’s just another promise to keep.

My freedom would feel worse than pain,
So I return, again, again.
A party guest without a say,
Just hoping I survive the day.