A tear rolled down her cheek
Smudging the mascara painted on with care.
The pain buried deep within
Strangled her heart in the pit of darkness.
The emptiness fed on the love left in her soul
That clung to her last strand of hope.
She feared standing on her own.
Her heart expected the hurt.
Its familiar sting ate at her core.
She hid the truth from the world.
Wiping the tears, she reapplied the makeup.
The scars had to be covered up again.
What a freak everyone would think she was
If they knew her secrets.
Happy child she must pretend to be,
Or face the reality
That no one cared for her.
(c) Noll