Silent
“Do your homework”
they say
“Pay attention”
they say
“No excuses”
they say
(they don’t understand)
if only they knew
of their struggles each day
a smile
(she fakes)
a story
(she creates)
a lie
(she makes)
she falls
sheds silent tears
she calls
but no one hears
her walls
obscure her fears
that nobody will ever care
the pain will be too much to bear
the strangers will forever stare
it’s true
they say inside her mind
too late
for you to reverse time
give up
and show them you’re not fine
she remedies the sleepless nights
with little friends
who help her fight
after she’s
turned off the lights
so she can calm
her restless mind
ignore the misery
of life
she wakes, and says again,
I’m fine