She hides her beauty beneath her smile
and no one detects each bitter trial.
Her pain submerged within her eyes
no one dares ask the how or whys.
Her heart once ablaze like a flaming light
now succumbs to the iciness
of a cold winter's night.
There is no other out there
or so it seems
who can match the passion
of her dreams.
So she will withdraw ever backward
into her shell
and paint on her protective face
of I'm doing well
because no other out there
will see beyond her veil
for they have never walked
down her same trail.