Masks

I cried myself to sleep last night.
Your visit made me cry
Your voice so sad, so tired, so dead,
just like you are inside

Those masks you present to the world,
the exterior that isn't real
Which mask are you wearing now, my love?
To hide how you really feel.

The public mask, with the false smile
that never quite reaches your eyes.
The one that only stretches your lips
as you struggle not to cry

The I'm alright, I'm really fine mask,
that you use to people push away,
to not answer the questions
that haunt you night and day

Or the mask I see in my nightly dreams,
that reflects the turmoil inside
as your soul is eaten piece by piece
and your spirit has all but died

How many masks do you wear?
Or don't you even know?
Do you even know the real you now?
Or was she the first to go?

Piece by piece you have given away
most of who you are.
The bit that's left is hidden well
protected by your scars

I cried myself to sleep because
the masks were all I could see.
The mask was that in your voice last night
when you first talked to me

Towards the end the mask was gone,
The voice was yours, and real.
The voice I know and love to hear
the one no mask can steal

I know the masks will soon be in place
to keep the world at bay.
But remember this my beautiful child,
you will never push me away.

So hide behind your masks, my love
and do what you have to do.
I will be there when you have need of me
to love and stand by you.

________________________________________