Beyond the smiling face.

She pauses a moment
before entering the room
grasping intensely at the mask
before placing it on her face.
The room brightens
as she walks in
and greets everyone with smile.
Her laughter echos off the walls
of the room
before twisting back and settling
heavily on the mask on her face.
A tiny drop of salty liquid
blurs her vision.

Quickly
she laughs it away.

Later
in the evening
alone in her room
she collapses into her pillow
and the tears fall.
And she dreams
of a quiet, peaceful
endless sleep.

She senses someone beside her
who softly grasps her hands.
She looks up with sadness in her eyes
As  arms wrap tightly around her
she hears someone whisper
“You are not alone” !

Note: I believe that all of us have had times of deep sadness, and during these sad times,  it helps to know (as Amy Ferris co author of Shades of Blue has said) that you are not alone.  Others have traveled the same route and have gotten through it. You can too. Reach out,  call someone.   Or if you notice someone who appears to be having a rough time, be there to support them through that rough time.  Things do get better.