Calculated Masquerade

The world turns in its ignorance
as I perform once more with break of day.
Affected smiles adorn my face
whilst eyes express the lie but none do see.
A heart of stone beats now within my breast
although 'twould shatter from the lightest blow.
And laughter spills from lips unused to mirth
in forced pretence as inside teardrops flow.
A cage that I have built
surrounds this mannequin I am become,
Too long it is since shutters
slammed, making my soul corrupt and numb.
The stage is set and round it
all are unaware,
I now portray in parody
the life that once was there.