time's up
the clock is ticking,
your breath is quickening,
your eyes are blurred and the light in your eyes is hidden,
behind a mask of happiness you know isn't true,
but you keep it all inside,
with your heart clawing to be free,
and your head, it's pounding thoughts a million at once.

but you promised yourself to be okay,
even if pretending was not.

-jhené.a.