Behind the Borrowed Smile
I hide my heart behind a smile,
A quiet mask I wear awhile.
The truth stays locked behind my eyes,
A whispered ache the world denies.
I laugh so no one sees the ache,
A trembling I can’t let them take.
But in the dark, when voices fade,
My secret feelings slip, unmade.
The mirror knows the fragile truth,
It sees the cracks I hide from youth.
Mascaraed calm, rehearsed delight,
All gently washed away by night.
The silence hums with things unsaid,
With heavy thoughts I’ve softly fed.
They bloom like shadows on the wall,
Stretching thin and standing tall.
Yet morning comes with painted grace,
And hope redraws upon my face.
I stitch my courage, thread by thread,
Wear daylight where my fears once bled.
Perhaps one day I’ll let it show—
The tender ache I’ve come to know.
Until that hour, I’ll play my part,
A borrowed smile, a guarded heart.
About the Creator
Gabriela Tone
I’ve always had a strong interest in psychology. I’m fascinated by how the mind works, why we feel the way we do, and how our past shapes us. I enjoy reading about human behavior, emotional health, and personal growth.
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