The Happy Woman

I wake up excited and jump out of bed,

Everyone thinks I'm happy, but inside,

I'm dead,

I whistle a happy tune as I clean the dishes,

But inside the dark is raging,

A dark I hope nobody sees;

I open up the curtains and smile at the rain,

You see, I hate the weather, but everyone wants

to go out today,

I put on my makeup and fake an exciting laugh,

Because if I am happy,

I won't get called stupid for being sad,

Now, it's a new morning, and depression has set in,

Outside, it's thundering and lightning,

And my head wants to explode;

Instead, I put on some music and obsess over

housework,

Because at least if I'm doing something,

I won't explode,

And they won't call me a jerk,

If they could only see me when I take off this mask,

They would know of the heartbreak and tears I cry,

When I am sad,

But, I can't do that;

Because the last time I tried,

They shamed me and called me names,

I felt like I had died, because at night I cried,

I was attacked for being different,

Abused for being sad,

So,

I beg you;

Before I remove this mask,

Promise you won't see me as bad.