Behind the Mask

They find my face

But turn away

They laugh at me;

laugh at my mask

They don't know what they are doing--

They don't know it hurts

So much more than it should

It's too far down to see--

All I see is darkness

I'm afraid to jump

But I want to find out.

I hear the rustling of a river

A force pushes me down--

Down into the deep depths.

I fall into the rose bushes

The thorns tear at my flesh--

It had all been a mean joke

There was no river

They tell me to face the truth

They ask me

Why I don't understand

That no one wants me

That no one cares.

I say I'm afraid--

I stay behind my mask

Afraid to face reality

I am blinded by fear and pain

I just want it all to go away.