With sweet lips spewing lies
Of life's grand perfections;
Fictitious light placed inside
My 'ever vacant wandering eyes.

Id nod my head; shake their hand
While pretending I was joyous;
Laugh about and dance around
While we listened to the band.

With a wide smile upon my face
The photographer snapped a shot;
Eternalizing "lovely" depression, of which
Seeped into my soul and stole my grace.

I'm drowning in the screaming words
Of all the truths I've never shared;
They’ve become my grim lullabies
Forever sung by my inner songbirds.

-ARI