True Friends

Sometimes I’m afraid,
Afraid they’ll discover,
Discover that it’s all lies,
Lies skillfully woven like a blanket.

Discover that my jokes,
My jokes are simple covers.
Discover that when I laugh,
When I laugh, I really want to cry.
Discover all the things I hate about them,
And hate me right back.
Discover that I have feelings,
Feelings that can be bruised.

Sometimes I’m afraid,
Afraid, but then I realize,
Realize I’m not afraid,
Not afraid, but hopeful.

Hopeful they will finally see,
See what has always been there.
Hopeful they will recognize,
Recognize all the signs.
Hopeful they will understand,
Understand what I endure.
Hopeful they will appreciate,
Appreciate the genuine me.


But all hope dies.
Dies because humans see,
Humans see not the truth,
Not the truth, but only what they want.

Then I’m safe,
Safe from being discovered,
Discovered and despised.
But I always wonder,
Wonder what would happen if,
If they met their undisguised friend.