They praised the face I never owned,
Applauded echoes in a borrowed tone.
I laughed on cue, I bowed on stage,
While grief grew roots beneath the cage.
Every smile was stitched with pain,
Every victory carried hidden chains.
I feared the truth would make them leave,
So I perfected how to deceive.
Then I tore the mask away.
The room fell silent.
Not because they saw my scars—
But because they realized
They had been wearing mine.
154





