Anyone could see I'm at my worst station

Bound to bitterness and hate – like a mason

Or a blacksmith cutting away all the ore

Upending my tolerance – there before

The grief and pain shoves me like tides on a shore

Why do you think anything could be wrong

How much I try to show you that I am strong

And nothing's wrong behind my blank eyes

The neutral face, so I can be safe inside

Safe – what does it signify anymore?

Unless you hide, shroud yourself and close the door

Nothing stops them from hurting you again

Don't you see – the mask is my salvation when

Everyone I thought loved me turns away

Renders me lonely – my heart wants to decay

Not wishing to go to rot, I endured

Ever since, my mask, a part of my allure

Ascends me to my throne so I don't melt

The mask ensures I'm coldhearted, not myself

How they would hurt me knowing who I was

Maybe it's an icy life for me, because

You don't have an ache for love till it's gone

My life now is to serve myself, carry on

And though this is an impossible task

Someday I hope someone sees my lowly caste

Kisses my cold cheek, gets courage to ask

(218 words)