Behind the smile

She wears a smile like a shield, A disguise for her hidden pain, A mask that conceals her tears, A façade that hides her heart's scars. When happy, she smiles bright, When upset, she forces a grin, When angry, she masks her rage, When hurt, she hides her wounds within. When heartbroken, she wears a disguise, When struggling, she searches for a light, When achieving, she beams with pride, But the smile falters when she's broken inside. Beneath the surface, she's shattered and worn, A fragile vessel, empty and forlorn, A house with a single flickering flame, A soul adrift, lost in a world of shame. Behind the smile, a broken girl resides, Hidden from the world's prying eyes, Frail and frightened, with no hope in sight, A cry for help, a silent, desperate plea. The smile that brightens everyone's day, Conceals a story, a heart that's gone astray, A door closed tight, a mountain steep, An ocean treacherous, a soul that weeps. If only the world could see beyond, If only it could hear her silent cry, Perhaps it could save her from the pain, And help her find her way, before she's lost again.