Escape Inside

My outer mask is smiling
But I'm crying inside
It appears brave and daring
A shield to hide behind

I hear it say it's ok.
But I'm screaming I'm not
I struggled to tell someone
I yelled, shouted and fought

But nobody can hear me,
Truth sealed within my lips.
On the surface the mask speaks,
Not but the words from scripts.

This mask is a solid wall
That's blocking out the world,
Behind my mask it's darkness,
Light filtered into swirls.

As peace settles behind it,
I understand it's worth.
It was my choice to hide here,
To escape my own derth.