Don't be fooled by the face I wear,
For it is nothing but a mask.
My mask is a covering, a hiding place
And beneath it is my true self.

Pretending is what I do for a living,
It is my second nature,
But please darling, don't be fooled
By how well I am hidden.

I give you the impression that I am okay,
The smile on my face and the blush on my cheeks
Says it all.
I give you the impression that I am happy,
That everything is great and beautiful in the world
And that I am truly invincible.
But please darling, don't be fooled
By what is hiding underneath.

I panic at the thought that I could be exposed
And this is what makes me hide.
This is why I am afraid.
The fear builds up inside me
Like tall brick walls.

My feelings shall forever be shielded
By the walls in which are built in my mind.
Only you can tear down those walls
With strong, but gentle hands.

What I crave is love,
But most of all acceptance
For who I am.
I need to know that I am worth something
But I cannot assure myself of that feeling.


I want to tell you.
I want you to listen
I want to pour my heart out to you.
I want to cry while your arms are tightly holding me
Assuring me that everything will be okay,
But I cannot. I don't dare to.

The thing is, I don't like hiding behind the mask.
I don't like the image that it sends,
Of how happy I am, how I am brave
And confident and completely sure of myself.
I need you to see the real me,
Beneath the mask.

I am afraid that you will think less of me
And doubt who I have become.
But first, you must help.
Guide me with your gentle touch
And your presence.
Lead me to a better place,
One that exists without judgement
And one with praise and acceptance.

Can you do that for me?
It is all I ask of you.
And for God's sake,
Please darling, don't be fooled.