People ask how I am, but they don’t really want to know or understand.

It is just a question that is asked, my true feelings must be masked. I smile and say I am fine, but inside I am all twined.

They don’t really want to know what makes me cry, or about the place where soldiers die.

If I start to speak about my pain, somehow they start talking about the rain.

I sit in a crowded party full of laughter all around, somehow I still feel like there is nobody around.

I want to yell and scream to get their attention somehow, but would they really hear me anyhow?

Unless it happens in their backyard, everything bad they will discard.

I will carry my pain in silence and just smile, and pretend all is fine even if it’s just for a little while.

I cry into my pillow at night, so during the day they are out of sight.

So, when you ask me how I am, I will give a smile the best that I can and keep pretending all is well,

in my heart the pain must dwell.

~ Rene Child 5/27/05