Behind the Curtain

Behind the Curtain

By Cassandra Hahn

Behind the curtain, I appear to be ordinary,

one with common goals and dreams.

But what most people fail to notice,

is I am not what I appear to be.

The smile so clearly worn upon my face,

no one knows is there with continuous force and effort.

And my blue eyes, warm and enticing,

no one notices are, in reality, faded and tired.

These ears I wear upon my head,

have heard one thousand secrets.

And the red lips still in their perpetual smile,

still have yet to leak them.

These gawky, crooked feet of mine,

they present themselves as average.

But they’re not recognized for all the walking they’ve done,

through miles and miles of wreckage and damage.

These shoulders have carried endless burdens,

belonging to friends, strangers, and lastly, my own.

Still, they’re not thought of as powerful,

though when their strength was put into perspective, your mind would be blown.

My hands have prayed for never-ending peace,

for the better to overcome the worse.

And though I try to not be discouraged,

I cannot help but sometimes feel cursed.

My heart has only known one love,

which was, as assumed, not returned.

But my mind has learned the precedent,

and never again shall my heart be disturbed.

Behind the curtain, I appear to be ordinary,

to be as normal as everyone wants me to be.

But what most people fail to recognize,

Is my strength is extraordinary.