It's Easier

By Kimetara

POV

Disclaimer: Poem owned by me.  Tifa and FFVII not.

10-8-XXXX

It's easier to be cheerful

And pretend it's all okay

Than cry with no one seeing

It's easier to laugh it off

To smile throughout the day

Than hurt with no one feeling

It's easier...it's easier to hide

Than face rejection

It's easier to weep inside

Than be pushed away

It's easier...

It's easier, but it hurts all the same

It's easier, but I wish somebody could see

It's easier, it's easier

But maybe it's still too much

The blank looks on your faces

The false interest and sudden turning aside

Hurts more than keeping it hidden

The silent pleading to be heard

Only to fall on ignorant ears

Causes more pain than slowly fading away

And it's easier...

It's easier to act strong

Like nothing ever gets you down

It's easier to say

"Oh it's alright"

"I'm always okay"

Oh, it's easier, it's easier...

But maybe it's still too much

Maybe it hurts more than I admit

Maybe I ignore it because of my choices...

Should I bear it inside

Have it slowly eat away

Or reveal it to light

And be shot down immediately?

Well it's easier

It's easier to take the pain in small doses

It's easier than having it all rush over you

It's easier, but it still hurts

And maybe it's still too much

It's easier,

It's easier,

But I think it's still too much...

          I finished penning the last line of my poem, and set the pencil down.

          Odd.  Lately I'd taken to writing poetry.  Not real poetry, of course, I simply wasn't blessed with that talent, but the sort that let you get things out.

          I always left it vague enough so that if anybody found it, no fingers would be pointed.  It didn't matter.  I knew what I was writing about.

          Did you know...today was the anniversary of the day we found Cloud in Mideel?

          Yep.  One year ago, there he sat, a vegetable in a wheelchair.

          But I don't want to get into that...

          I overreacted, didn't I?  I practically gave up on the mission, I know.  I know...

          But God.  Even with Cloud gone, even then, there was no sympathy for me...only comments about how strong I had to be, how I was the leader, how Cloud was gone and I needed to keep my mine on the journey.  Especially Barret.  I've known Barret for a good...what...4 years now?  But I swear, if I hadn't been so depressed, I would have slapped him for those remarks.  I know I was supposed to be strong!  I know I had grown too dependent on Cloud!  I knew it, I knew it all, I didn't need to be lectured on it!

          ...but you know what?

          I don't think it was all for Cloud.  A good part of it was, but...

          For the longest time, I've been searching, half-hesitantly, for an excuse.

          An excuse to let it all out.  A good reason to allow all the anger and fear and hurt I kept inside to reveal themselves.  Cloud's disappearance was that opening.

          Weak, selfish little Tifa...

          Ah well.  I heard somewhere all of us humans are weak, selfish creatures.  Now there's a depressing thought, don't you agree?

          Goodness, I ought to try having a conversation with Vincent.  Let's see which one of us can out-melancholy philosophize the other.  The idea brings a slight smile to my lips.

          I'm always doing that.  Cheering myself up.  I don't even mean to, and sometimes I don't want to, oddly enough.  But I do it anyway.

          Probably because nobody else cares enough to do so.

          Red...Nanaki might.  He might.  But he's so young...even though he acts older, even though he is older, his understanding's still that of a 17 year old.  He doesn't know.  It'd be pointless to try to talk to him, because he wouldn't understand.

          Maybe I really should have that conversation with Vincent...  I'm not kidding this time.  I think he'd be the only one that's capable of listening and understanding.  Of course, he'll probably end up just staring at me quietly and offering some odd riddle of advice when I'm done.  Or maybe he'll start getting depressed about his own problems...

          Vincent has too many troubles of his own.  I don't feel right, burdening him with mine.  And they would be a burden, I know him.  He cares for all of us, even if he hides it.  He'd take my burden upon himself.  And I can't do that.

          ...I can't talk to anybody...

          Reeve or Cid?  I hardly know them.  Yuffie?  The thought alone is amusing.  I mean, if I can't talk to Red about it, do I really think Yuffie would understand?

          Nanaki, Nanaki.  I always slip.

          Barret?  He means well, but he'd probably end up just looking at me completely blank.  And then I'd trail off, feeling stupid for bringing it up...

          ...Cloud...

           Hah.  Maybe if I knew where he was.  No, even if I did, I wouldn't mention it to him.  I'm always brave, happy Tifa.  I couldn't bear to disappoint him like that.

          I doubt he'd listen anyway.  He never did...

          You know what I think?  I think people refuse to listen to your problems because they don't want to have to share theirs.  Strange, stupid even maybe, but I guess it's that whole unspoken "you tell me something, I tell you something" obligation going on...

          Cloud never wanted to reveal anything the least bit personal about himself.  It always drew me crazy.  He wouldn't ever listen to me either.  God, that hurt...

          I guess that's just how it goes, huh?  I shouldn't dwell on it anymore, but I can't help it.  It always comes back to me...  I'm just too sensitive.

          Maybe it I was less sensitive, I wouldn't hurt so much.  But then, I wouldn't be able to tell when others were hurting, would I?

          I don't want to give that up.

          A blessing and a curse, sensitivity is...

          I don't feel like getting up today.  I think I'll just stay in bed. 

          The sun's warm outside, but it can't touch me in here...

AN: *sigh*  Tired...  Anyway...this is Tifa, in her room, lying in bed with her diary.  There's no coupling intended, but you can take it as you may.  I believe that's all the background info needed...  Please R&R