My Face of Clay

Practice before a mirror,
Rehearse that winning smile.
This is the only version, now
You can paint me for a while.

This is the only me there is,
A grin from ear to ear.
I would not want to lead you on,
For you would see my fear.

My fear is this, and this is true.
I am a hypocrite, and you
Can scold me if you want, and leer,
But please, do not share my fear.

I practice in front of mirrors,
Try on different smiles for size.
What you hear are chuckles and laughs
And you don’t hear my sighs.

This is what I want, oh yes.
Why should you know what’s genuine?
The real me is not what’s best.
So I keep the role I fill in.

This is the only version,
Tied up and ready to go.
You can paint me for a while, now.
That’s all you’ll ever know.