The Mask

I see she's always worn a mask;

A mask of many colors.

Her mask, forever a smile,

Which nobody ever questioned.

For, her mask hides her pain;

Pain that is deep and real.

Pain that breaks and bleeds

The one who wears the mask.

She puts on a show for everyone;

She acts like she's happy and fine;

She laughs like she has no worries;

She lies like she has no secrets.

She puts on the mask, but feels nothing;

Acts with the mask, but means nothing;

Laughs with the mask, but enjoys nothing;

She is the mask, and nothing more.

“Who are you?”, she asks me one day.

"You look at me with curious eyes."

I want to see behind her mask;

I want to know her real self.

She takes off the mask, but shows nothing;

Speaks without the mask, but says nothing;

Smiles without the mask, but loves nothing;

She's nothing, but the mask!

– Pradeep K (Prady)

                          -o-