THE SMILE

I wear a smile

Not because I'm happy 

but because it fits.

People say,

"You look fine", "alright" 

And I nod.... almost shaken...

Like truth is a crime

A crime that I could be guilty of.

This face?

Well trained 

Well behaved 

Well...lied

No real expressions

I laugh loud enough 

to silence suspicion.

But if you listen closely -

If you look within her-

this smile 

is tired...

This smile..

is tired.

THE CRACK

Something is slipping-

Not loudly-

Not violently

just...quietly, slowly.

Like faith with a fracture 

Like a broken heart

Like hope with a stutter

I used to be certain -

Used to be sure.

Now?I'm just... here.

Asking questions 

I'm afraid to answer .

Who am I

when the smile fades?

When my secret is left open 

for the world to see?

Who sees me

when I'm not okay?

Something is breaking...

The mask is finally cracking...

And I can hear it.

THE FALL

I am falling-

Not from grace,

but from myself.

Seven days to live,

and I am not ready.

Heaven- do you hear me?

Do you hear my silent screams?

I am drowning in silence,

screaming in stillness,

begging for light -

In a tunnel that forgets me-

In a place where I blend with darkness.

I don't want to go.

Not like this.

Hold me-

Or I might just disappear.

THE FIRE

Enough.

I am done breaking 

for a world

that never held me.

Pain taught me how to burn 

without permission.

I went through hell

and came back alone! Stronger.

You called me weak-

But look again.

I survived 

every silent war

you never saw.

This fire?

It is MINE.

You can't hide my fire 

under a bushel.

And I will not

dim it for anyone.

THE FACE

This is my face

This is me.

Not just the smile -

Not just the scars -

But everything 

in between.

I have been soft

I have been shattered 

I have been fire.

And still-

I am here.

Not perfect 

Not whole 

But real.

So if you ask me

who I am-

I will say: 

I am every PHASE

I am the SMILE 

I am the CRACK

I am the FALL

I am the FIRE

I am the FACE

 I am WILDCARD!

I survived