The Mask

She puts on the mask
The mask of a smile
The mask of “I’m okay”
She pretends to be fine
Pretends that all is well
But underneath that mask
Is brokenness and pain

She’s tired and she’s hurting
She’s worn and alone
But she puts on her mask
And hides it all inside
She doesn’t want people to see
Doesn’t want them to know
The truth she keeps hidden away

When alone, she cries bitter tears
She asks God “Why?”
And she begs for relief
Yet she wonders if He hears
If He cares– if He’s even there
But no one can know this
No one must see behind the mask

People ask “How are you?”
But do they really want to know?
She doesn’t believe it
So she puts on a smile
She puts on a laugh
She says all is well
But it’s only a mask

~Me