"How are you?"
Fine, thank you.
"You're smiling."
Yes, yes.. I should think so.
"Had a good day?"
Yes, yes.. I would think so.
"That's good to know."
I know, .. I know.
* * *
The days go by.
And the conversations went so
A `hello and how do you do?'
A `fine, thank you' in return.
You see the smiles
And nod in approval
Constantly each day
You say all will be alright.
I nod, usually silently.
I agree in words
"Yes, all will be alright."
* * *
If only you knew,
What is behind the masks..
The anger inside,
The growing agony.
Smiles only outside.
Tears never-ending.
Laughs easily accomplished.
But from the inside, impossible.
* * *
"Hello there, how are things?
Alright, alright.
"That's good."
Yes, I would think so.
"All will be alright."
You say so.
* * *
..but if you only knew.