Feel Freda Talk

Sometimes it gets tiring, wearing a mask all the time.
Faking emotions, wearing smiles like I’m not
SCREAMING
on the inside.
Inside out, outside in
being careful not to slip up or let it
Fall.
Hitting a wall
and watching it come
crumbling down.
They saw me, unmasked
and now I’m tasked
with having to be extra careful
so they don’t come to me and ask
if I’m okay.
I’m not okay, usually I’m far from it
but I don’t say that.
No one has
time
or cares that I’m hurting
because if they did, they wouldn’t
NEED
to ask.
So I leave the house with a smile
and a laugh
and I
FAKE IT
until I make it, because that’s all I know.
That’s survival, whether we like it or not.

Life is what you make it,
so make it a game.
Or don’t.
But feel your feelings when they arise
so you don’t have to hide
your face anymore.
Take the mask off
go for a walk
and remember it’s okay to be
imperfectly you.