Merry Facade

We say we see pain, but what do we really see?
A girl laughing on the swing, eyes like the sea,
her hair in the wind, a rosiness in her cheeks.
If only you'd known she has suffered for weeks.
Constantly she hides behind that pretty smile
so the world doesn't question what has lasted a while
nor will she feel a burden to those she holds dear
for which she bears regret and sheds a burning tear.
On the surface she goes on with a merry facade,
but inside is an aching that will never fade.
Her chest throbs with an emptiness, but in front of you
she dances and giggles like you'd want her to.
A social life- many friends- but still she feels alone
like the quiet moon in the sky, far away from home
in some other world where her dreams can't be reached,
an acceptance she fathoms as her hopes have beached.
Silently she cries so no one hears and worries,
but how she yearns to scream the anguish of her memories;
the lies she's told, the mistakes, and pain
she's caused others, hiding her tears in the rain.
Often she'll say she's perfectly fine and grins
to change your attention as her mind hurriedly spins,
and she'll find the energy no matter the stress
to joke by your side as long as she doesn't have to confess.
Days and days will go by and you'll never know
or understand the sorrow inside this girl who appears to glow
because she's done it before, she's hidden secrets so long
so you could continue your busy life, so she's said nothing wrong.
And you'll have no reason to be concerned or ask
why she lies awake each night painting this mask,
the one she'll wear again tomorrow on the swing laughing happily.
We say we see pain, but what do we really see?