How many times have we waited
Waited and watched
For someone to notice
That the smile we practice
For hours is fake?

How many time have we watched
Our lovers,
Our friends,
Our family
Leave us to the demons in our head?

How many times have we waited
For someone to care
That we’re not there
To laugh and
To smile?

How many hours did we practice
Looking fine,
Looking excited,
In the mirrors that never showed the
Whole picture?

Because they never do.
Pictures and mirrors never show
What’s inside the mind.
If only they did;
Then we’d all be fine.

How many times were we asked
‘Are you alright?’
And how many times did we say
‘Everything’s just fine,’ but,
In reality, we were dying inside?

How many times did
Everyone pretend to care
That the light on the inside
Was hardly
Ever there?
~A.L.W.