I’m Hiding Deep Inside

Can no one see this smile I’m faking,
See how, inside, I’m constantly shaking?These people all claim they know me well,Yet no one can see through my crumbling shell?
They leave me to deal with this anguish alone.
I’ve hidden behind this wall most of my life,
I’ve managed so far, I’ve dealt with my strife.
It helps to keep life’s true horrors at bay.
I pull down my sleeve to cover my hurt,
For approaching footsteps, I’m on the alert.
No one has to know of the pain that I feel.
The real me inside, where no one can see,
I can fool everyone else, why can’t I fool me?

“I’m fine”, I whisper, my sadness unknown,
Watching as, slowly, my blood leaks away,
I guess my pretense is just all too real,