Confident and friendly,

Always positive and kind.

This is what is shown on the outside

But what is inside the mind?

Terror and misery

It flows through his head

So much stress and pain

He gets no sleep in his bed.

The pain is too strong

But a front he must keep

He does not want for sympathy

Or for anyone else to weep.

"Life goes on"

That is what people say

But they have no idea what he goes through

Each and every day.

The boy, that is me

And the pain, it is real.

I do not look for pity

For only I know how I feel.

Every morning I wake up

And I paint on my grin

I keep my mask on

So nobody will know of the pain within.