Hand-Me-Down Box

Picture courtesy of Picture it & Write

i wear a mask

that always smiles

it hides the hurt

and paints the lies

a gated wall

to my soul

if i keep the windows closed

no one will ever know

that behind these smiles

are massive scars

from cuts in my chest

to contusions of my heart

behind the smiles

i stand broken and stripped

bearing an open hand

and battered lips

a tainted word

i dare not speak

as my secrets guard

my weakened cheeks

behind chains and bars

and rusted locks

i'll never escape

this Hand-Me-Down box

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