Reality comes in words.

What I say to myself.

The voices in my head.

What I say to others.

The constant chatter of the outside world.

They pull me in every direction.

Disguising ugliness under masks of smiles.

Preserving hurt for a moment, when it can do the most damage.

When the spear stops, right in my lifeline,

The ugly is no longer hidden.

The facade is done.

I face it… Because I have to.

It’s the truth.

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2023 January