Keeping up appearances,
Shutting the dark vibe down.
Keeping up appearances,
Putting on a crown.
Keeping up appearances,
Make a smile out of a frown.

Keeping up appearances,
But quietly you drown.

i
don't
know how
i'm being
screamed at by silence.
i don't know what these rooms are for-
filled with ghosts and curtains that will never stop haunting.
i watch these stacked rooms from afar as we drive home. a wraith whispers light into their ears.

you will find a moment when your words must become an open hand, flickering open to light another's darkened road. you wish to show them your heart, yet how will you do that if all you have behind your tongue are broken pieces of phrases oft repeated? 'i'm here if you need me.' 'i'll be there for you.' 'i have sympathy for you.' others have spoken these very words many times over. they are cursed with the knowledge that no matter how much love sticks the syllables together, the words will never be whole.

know this, my child:
the things that burn your eyes
will also burn your soul.