I smiled for days,
laughed when it hurt,
held back the storm,
pretending it worked.

But silence grew loud,
and the weight too much—
one small word,
one final touch.

Then suddenly—
I couldn’t breathe,
tears spilled out
like I’d been set free.

It wasn’t planned,
it just had to start,
when holding it in
was tearing apart.

I laugh in places I want to cry,
Hold it in, and pass it by.
To them, I’m calm — a steady line,
But deep inside, I’m almost fine.