A painted smile
A curated shield from the public space
To hide the bruising that has tore my fragile skin
Concealing all that burns within
A scripted line upon a stage
But in the dark awaits the predator that knows no mask
Though the mask is carved with steady hands
They are built on shifting, fragile sand
Image gnerated using Gemini AI
Look closer, where the mask breaks
You'll see the beautiful mistake in it
The fear and terror that lives within
The hidden ache, the quiet grace
The world may praise the flawless view
But art is born from what is true
When the show and applaud dies down
I'm left with my true nature to nurture
