Chins Up, Smiles On

I read it in a book

My mother told me once

After I’d cried for while in her arms

Wear the mask, we must keep going

Wear the mask, so the others won’t see

But I still see

I see the forced smile

the uncomfortable laugh

the quick look she gives to a friend

Our eyes tell the truth

You can see the sadness, the fear

You can only see if you look

Else it may be lost in the smile

the carefully calibrated phrase  

Cry later, in the hall,

wipe the look of despair off,

before anyone sees

what if someone sees

Perfectly parted lips

A beautiful smile

We are goddesses after all

Bound to perfection

Forever

The chains of a smile

The chains of a mask