Layers of Paint (Slam Behind the Curtain)
Locations
I add on another layer
Paint the smile just slightly larger
Dab more sparkle into my eyes
Then performance ready, I enter under the public scrutiny
Go home
Rinse
Rub
The Next Day
Repeat
7 Hours A Day
Five Days a Week
On so long I fear it will dry
Fear it will start to crinkle and crack
Fear it will fall off
Make a joke
To hold their attention
“Good thing you’re funny or you’d have nothing”
A fleck of paint falls off
A flash of fear lights up in my eyes
There’s no way they missed that
The next day I add an extra layer plus a coat of lacquer to seal it down
Make more jokes
Make them laugh
Flip my hair
Place another lock on my hidden chest of thoughts
The fear to be seen as boring
To lose their interest
I don’t care what they think
Yes I do
No I don’t
Maybe just a little
Go Home
Rinse
Rub
The Next Day
Repeat
Locked in an internal prison
Just able to peek out
Poke a finger through the metal bars
Pull it right back
Crack a joke
Flash A Smile
I drop the real thoughts
The real me
The existent frowns
The hidden tears
Down the well inside
What will I do the day the well overflows?
I will add another seal of paint
Rinse
Rub
The Next Day
Repeat