Wearing Different Faces Poem by Pathum Madigapola

Unless you have a smile from ear to ear
They will never accept you
My emotions come off as an offence
So I gave up
Put my attitude on the shelf
Then walked around like nothing ever happened

This is not a story unique to us
The psychologist told me,
"If your environment doesn't change, you will implode"

My counselor said,
"Your teachers have been telling me you haven't been happy. Is there something wrong? Can I do anything to help? "
"Nope" just let me smile so you don't become too concerned

The mask.
I look for my mask before I step outside
I cower in my mask before I talk to you
I reach for my mask whenever I step to look in the mirror

I swear to God I'm happy
I swear to God

We now have masks.
Shelves of masks.
Lining our bedroom walls
One for every situation
One for every location
One for every person
I wonder which mask I'm going to wear for you.