I don’t want to do this anymore.
This faking the smile,
Hiding the tears,
Only letting you see
This masquerade version of me.

We deserve more
Than this,
This empty-hearted
Empty-minded
Plastic perfect,
Me and you.

I want you to know,
I want you to see
The costume free version of me,
With my rock-hard shell tossed aside
And my innocent face laid bare.

But I’m afraid.
Afraid of trusting you to see
The true, imperfect me.

So I hide here,
Wishing
For the strength to let you in,
Just this once
Just for a moment
To be free of this heavy mask,
This jeweled costume
That sparkles and shines,
Hides and distracts
From the every day,
Plain Jane,
Nothing special,
Me

But then you look at me,
And your face says it all.

Oh, sweet, sweet girl
You don’t have to hide anymore.
Your costume never fooled me,
And your reality doesn’t scare me.
I want to see the real you…
Please?

And with trembling hands,
And downcast eyes,
I lift the mask
From blush-red cheeks,
Petal-pink lips,
And soft brown eyes.
I let loose the ties that bind my hair
And I look up.

You’re smiling.

You reach out,
Touch my cheek,
And whisper
“You’re beautiful.”