Masquerade

A regular day filled with talking and laughing, joking and gossiping

Always done with a fake grin plastered on

Teens argue, insult, bully, tease, and intimidate

But if anyone asks, life is great 

 Underneath the mask, there’s more

More that is unseen and undiscovered

Negative emotions are concealed, boiling and blistering

You feel yet hide, you dream yet give up 

At home or with friends you quit pretending

You are yourself, that wonderful you

Laugh, cry, sing, be crazy—

All feelings are unearthed and can flourish at last 

Nevertheless life goes on and continues to block the light

You grow old as someone you despise

Routines restrict the ability to simply exist

The mask consumes 

Yet the question remains: are you hiding from others

Or yourself?