I add on another layer

Paint the smile just slightly larger

Dab more sparkle into my eyes

Then performance ready, I enter under the public scrutiny

Go home

Rinse

Rub

The Next Day
Repeat

7 Hours A Day

Five Days a Week

On so long I fear it will dry

Fear it will start to crinkle and crack

Fear it will fall off

Make a joke

To hold their attention

“Good thing you’re funny or you’d have nothing”

A fleck of paint falls off

A flash of fear lights up in my eyes

There’s no way they missed that

The next day I add an extra layer plus a coat of lacquer to seal it down

Make more jokes

Make them laugh

Flip my hair

Place another lock on my hidden chest of thoughts

The fear to be seen as boring

To lose their interest

I don’t care what they think

Yes I do

No I don’t

Maybe just a little

Go Home

Rinse

Rub
The Next Day
Repeat

Locked in an internal prison

Just able to peek out

Poke a finger through the metal bars

Pull it right back

Crack a joke
Flash A Smile

I drop the real thoughts

The real me

The existent frowns

The hidden tears

Down the well inside

What will I do the day the well overflows?

I will add another seal of paint

Rinse
Rub

The Next Day
Repeat