Behind The Mask

Behind the stoic face, a story's told, Of hidden tears, and a heart that's old. The weight of worlds, upon his shoulders strong, A burden borne, where few belong. His eyes, a window, to a soul astray, Searching for solace, night and day. The mask of strength, a disguise to wear, Concealing pain, and a heart that's bare. The expectations, a heavy chain, To provide, to protect, to maintain. The pressure mounts, the stress does too, A silent struggle, few understand true. His voice, a whisper, in the darkest night, A cry for help, without a fight. The fear of weakness, a weight to bear, A loneliness, that's hard to share. But still he stands, through every storm, A resilience, that's born to form. A strength that's forged, in fire and pain, A heart that beats, with love and gain. Let us see, beyond the mask he wears, And recognize, the tears he shares. Let empathy bridge, the gap we make, And heal the suffering, for his sake. ~ Pramiti Mukherjee