The Impostor

In shadows deep, where doubts reside,

A fragile mask, I wear with pride.

Though draped in smiles, beneath the guise,

An unseen sorrow, it never dies.

Each step I take, in the limelight's gleam,

A masterful act, a shattered dream.

With every stride, a whispered fear,

Impostor's echo, so crystal clear.

A soul engulfed in haunting doubt,

I dance through life, yet feel without.

Fraught with unease, a constant gnaw,

Masked in strength, but feeling raw.

Like a puppeteer's artful guise,

I play my role, the stage my prize.

But whispers haunt, from deep within,

"I'm not enough," a silent din.

Days parade with scripted grace,

Yet shadows linger in this secret place.

A fraud I feel, despite the cheer,

Carrying burdens no one sees or hears.

The weight of sadness, a heavy shroud,

Yet, with a façade, I stand unbowed.

The world may laud this veneer I wear,

Unaware of the inner despair.

Behind closed doors, I confront the ache,

Impostor's symphony, my heart does break.

Yearning for acceptance, to truly belong,

Yet, I dance to a tune of doubt's cruel song.

So, with a heavy heart, I press on,

Masking the storm until it's gone.

Holding firm against the ache's cruel toll,

A façade maintained, an imperfect role.

Invisible tears, a silent stream,

Fraudulent whispers in the seam.

But onward I tread, as if in control,

Hiding the turmoil within my soul.

These words might falter to express,

The depth of this masked distress.

Yet, in this verse, a truth is spun,

Of the silent battles fought and won.

For every soul that wears this guise,

Know you're not alone in this disguise.

Impostor's whispers, they may assail,

But your strength, beneath, will never fail.