What Lies Underneath

I hear you laugh at almost everything
I've rarely ever seen you mad
You are such a joy to be around
Because you are never sad

I watch your face and look into your eyes
And I see a sadness there
Such a look of vast experience
From perhaps a life that's not been fair

Sometimes, I see you talk to yourself
Very quiet, very low
And I wonder what is on your mind
What you are trying not to show

I realize that your constant laugh
The smile there on your face
Is not reflected in those eyes of yours
And it seems so out of place

What lies underneath that mask of happiness
That I have always seen you wear
And just how deep do the secrets and pain
Therein lie
That you alone do bear

Author's Note

Written 02/07/10, one of my first pieces about a friend of mine who laughs at everything, even when it is not funny.......I realized the day I wrote this that perhaps I saw a bit of myself in her.

Artist: Phatpuppy - Deviantart.com

Reviews

[kdpgrahi]

It is so simple a poem Neva, I feel it something different from your usual style. You have told the very true things here. Yes I agree there is some thing very deep under the mask of happiness. It seems reverse in not true, no mask of sadness? i appreciate your feelings here.

[StarSandwich]

:) I really like this is just so cutee i enjoyed this alot

[brenda]

this reminds me of my grandma and me too i sure can see a bit of myself here as well as you nice poem Neva really captures feelings here ! favorite of all of your poetry i like this one :)

[∂αʌ<..]

aaah...i can easily relate myself to this one!
a personal touch in this poem i would which makes it amazingly powerful!
great write^^

[Ruth]

Sometimes we have to smile or laugh...I often say if fate laughs at us just laugh back lol Wish I had such strength of late, blissful work love xx

[SoulCrusader (Yas)]

Excellent poem, I certainly know somoene like that. Awesome work:)

[Richielee]

People like your friend are often an inspiration and i certainly enjoy that kind of company but the urge to get them to open up sometimes gets : )

[Jeremy Baker]

A bit too close to the truth for me to say that I *enjoyed* this, but I certainly shivered at the end. Remarkable writing!

[al25]

I really like how real this is. I can really relate to your friend. Anyway great write.

[.......]

This is quite the impressive piece of writing.
There is some truth in this write.
So well expressed and written.

[Dream Weaver]

This reminds me of the "Ruggero Leoncavallo" opera Pagliacci or as I like to call
it: laugh clown laugh...O and the song "smile though your heart is breaking" as well.
I have a friend just like that to..Nicely done Neva xx