The Mask

How did he do that?

Laugh,

Grin,

Joke,

Everyday?

Without even having

One

Bad

Day?

I couldn't fathom the idea

Of somebody being so obnoxiously happy

Every

Single

Day.

It was not possible.

So I began that search,

The search for the real you.

The you who

Grimaced,

Sulked,

Cried.

But the real you was also

Part of your fake side.

They were somehow,

Over time,

Melded together.

Like two metals,

Made one by force.

Reaching the real you was not easy.

But once you let me see

A glimpse,

I wanted more of that real you.

So I slowly pealed off

The

Mask.

The one that is always grinning.

And I saw behind that mask,

Your real face.

And the expression

You wore was one of

Complete

Exhaustion.

I understood.

I had tried to put on

The

Mask,

But every time I tried,

The

Mask

Would slip off.

You were tired of wearing

The

Mask.

You were tired of pretending to be

Everyone's favorite clown.

You were tired of

Laughing,

Grinning,

Joking,

Every

Single

Day.

You now understand that it is better being

The

Real

You.

And I helped you to your feet,

And when I stumbled,

You helped me steady myself.

You were my best friend.

The one I could lean on.

Sometimes

I put on that mask again,

But you pry it off

Before I got too used to it,

Because you know how hard it is to

Take it off,

And not give in to

Wanting to be popular.

Were you in pain when you wore that mask?

I know you are still haunted by it.

When you let me see that real you,

Was it a silent cry for help?

Even if it wasn't,

I helped.

I would always help you.

And that one day

That I asked you if you considered me your best friend,

You had said yes.

And when I then asked what took you so long to

Become my friend,

You had said it was because of

The

Mask.

That wretched mask

Will haunt others, too.

But as long as you are my best friend,

I will not let the mask take it's hold on you

Ever

Again.

If I had to choose one thing that I hated,

It would be

The

Mask.