maybe 

i’ve been stabbed in the back

a youthful spirit deflated, eyes darkened and haunted

finally having a taste

of what it means to be unwanted

but they don't see my scars

maybe 

i’ve been smothered beneath miles of sobs

memories writhing against my better sense

as the booming jeers return in the night

a community, laughing at my expense

but they don't hear my screams

maybe 

i’ve been freezing slowly,

like a sculpture still breathing

tensing in defiance against the shame keeping me pinned

only to be shattered into a million broken shards

by the wind

but they don’t feel the ice

maybe 

i've already died inside

with a smile and voice that run on autopilot

too tired to fight back, to defend

with only my thoughts turning for the violent

but they don't know I'm already that far gone

they don’t see, they don’t hear, they don’t feel, they don’t know

all they ever see 

is a bright smile

all they ever hear 

is "i'm okay.”

all they ever feel

is triumph, with their jokes that ensnarl

and all they've ever known 

or cared to know

is a mask

a pretty casket 

of a girl