i know i seem
like i am coping just fine
trekking through life as though
i do not see the destruction
that falls
around
me

you would be wrong
to assume
that i am okay
as i am barely keeping
my head above water
choking on words
that are never spoken
and forcing out
compliancy

and when you ask me
i smile
and reply with a nod
when the real trouble is
that the light
inside is
burning
out