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Jasmine Lugan

Mask


Try it on.

Put it on.

Keep it on.

Once you have it on,

You can’t take it off.

The addiction.

The fear.

The loneliness.

You can’t see me-

I'm not here.


I live alone

Behind

My mask of tears.

Depression.

Anxiety.

I've known it all.

The yelling.

The lies.

The bullying.

Sometimes I feel so small.


They never know

How much I struggle.


In their eyes,

I look weak.

A disappointment.

My accomplishments never enough.

Smile for the picture.

Look happy.

It's for memories' sake,

While I stand there

Crying

Behind my fake face.


A smile should be true,

Genuine.

True happiness.

Not forced.


My room.

My quiet place.

My mask is off.

I sit alone

Trying

To fix feeling off.

The mirror,

The mirror.

I only see my mask.

One day, I hope

To see my true self.

Not crying alone

Reading books

Off the shelf.


Today was hard,

Tomorrow has challenges.

Hopefully,

It won’t be another day

Of sitting alone.

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