Dear Medium: Why Do We Hide Behind A Disguise?

Photo by Joackim Weiler on Unsplash

We wear our disguises,
Crafted with care,
Revealing just a glimpse,
To appear bold, to appear unafraid.

We speak in rehearsed lines,
Words polished to perfection,
Calculated, measured,
Never too much, never too raw.

We smile when expected,
Nod at the right moments,
Laugh on cue,
As if following an invisible script.

Behind these layers,
A storm rages,
Emotions screaming,
Longing to be set free.

But freedom is frightening,
Rawness is dangerous,
So we tuck our truths away,
Lock them beneath painted facades.

We stand in rooms full of people,
Yet feel utterly alone,
Surrounded by voices,
Yet unheard, unseen.

We master the art of appearing,
Not too weak, not too strong,
Just enough to seem relatable,
Yet distant enough to be safe.