an unstable platform
holds me up for the world to see
I beg them to turn away
so they won’t see me struggle
on this uneven ground
where everything could change
in a fraction of a second

“I have to keep it together”
I mumble as my knees shake
close to losing my balance
if they see me fall
they will think I’m weak
I want to be strong in their eyes
they shouldn’t know my secret

“I’m okay up here I promise”
they believe me for now,
but soon they’ll know the truth
because I can’t hide the fact
that my legs are weak
and my heart is tired

I will fall eventually
hopefully they will still love me
and think that I’m strong
even after this incident