Cleverly masked by a smile & jovial tone,
Tongues painting only what they want known.
Deceived not by my ears nor my eyes,
Intently I listen as you speak your disguise.
Without any effort I hear what is there,
Many things you're unwilling to yet share.
Our mouth we open but our soul we close,
It is this way because it is what we chose.
Secrets that are silently kept in despair,
For how could a person just met care?
At risk of much shall I confront what I hear,
I do not want to leave you exposed or cause fear.
Cowardly am I to my own disappointment and dismay,
I dare not reveal that I hear more than the words you say.
How do I explain that you plainly show,
All that you are so reluctant for me to know?
I join in the madness of painting pictures with tongues,
Keeping in the words & only letting out the air from my lungs.
To myself I keep what is heard & unspoken,
For fear that you will see I too am broken.
