He packs away all his unspoken emotions into cardboard boxes
and places them inside his already crowded closet.
Shoved deep down between Abusive Father and Religious Mother,
They'll be kept hidden from the world's judgmental gaze.

He has lived a lie his entire life and their relationship is no different.
Playing this role comes as naturally as breathing to him by now.
A never-ending facade to hide what is buried down
under discarded shoes, forgotten photo albums, and repressed memories.

He'll tell her that he's stuck with the late shift at the office,
but he'll really be visiting him in cheap motels across town.
The fear of rejection consumes him entirely.
Doors closed shut by his loved ones; he is kept a prisoner.