I smile too wife, I laugh too loud,
And I pretend to scorn what scares me.
I say I hate them,
But it's only armor.
A quiet warning to the world
That I am fragile,
And I'm afraid,
Because they can hurt me.
Inside, my heart races,
And every step feels heavy,
But I keep moving,
Because showing fear -
Especially when they're around -
Is a risk I cannot take.
So back I step, into my smile, into my armor.