My smile masks a thousand lies

one thousand lies hidden behind my bellowing laugh

A laugh that fades when your eyes cast away

Your eyes fail to notice my darkness leaking out

My darkness is translucent but swallows me whole like tar

I’m drowning but I continue to live

Living while suffering while pretending is a battle

A battle I can’t confess because I fear to disappoint you

You’re disappointed I didn’t speak up

I can’t speak up or out or talk about my demons

My demons are choking me while my brain betrays me

You feel betrayed while staring at my corpse

I stare back blankly with a smile on my face.