Behind The Smiles: Unveiling Hidden Struggles Poem by Lilith Van'Nightinveil

'Are you okay? ' they ask, with a smile,
And I reply, 'I'm fine, ' with guile,
But my mind is screaming out in pain,
And my heart is crying in vain.

I'm falling apart on the inside,
But my face and body show a different tide,
I don't want to burden them with my strife,
So I keep my struggles hidden, out of sight.

But the weight of my emotions is heavy,
And the burden of my thoughts is unsteady,
I long to let it all out and be free,
But the fear of judgment keeps me from being me.

So I smile and nod and carry on,
While inside I feel like I'm forever gone,
But I know deep down that I'm not alone,
And that someday I'll find my way home.

Until then, I'll keep on fighting,
Even though it feels like I'm forever hiding,
But someday soon, I know I'll break free,
And be the person I was always meant to be.