Guise

Behind the mask frowns the smile
For the smile to cheer the rest
          was never enough for the self

Behind the mask cries the soul
For the eyes swell with sorrow
          that the mask could not hold

Behind the mask breaks a heart
That lacks the shield from any guise
          for every crack of joke to last

And so people chose to laugh aloud
          in every howl the smile blurts out
And none but one through eyes has seen
          the real solitude of years to wipe within