Be happy, they said

you have everything, they said
food, family and belly fed

So everyday, she smiles wide
“please, thankyou, excuse me”
everyday, behind the mask, she shall hide

Someone in the world has it worse,
but someone always has it better.
ironic- privilege is her curse

The mask she wears, helps build her walls
interior insecurities and frontward flaws,
it covers them up, so she never falls.

“Ungrateful, selfish, mischievous youth”
so everyday she wears her mask,
it may be heavy, but it’s lighter than the truth

She hates herself for always being down
without proper reason or hardship
Her solution? A mask that shall never frown.

Be happy, they said
You have everything, they said
as they gently thrust the mask over her head.