I tested the waters with smaller shadows,

So I could see how they looked in the light.

But once other people were aware of them,

It tainted their perception of me.

The darkness was all they could see.

So I hid the rest.

The much deeper, darker, dirty little secrets,

Confined to the shadows once more.

And I put on a face of bravery and joy when I was around other people,

While all my tormentations waited quietly in my room.

I took the weight off of other people,

Because them knowing would put a greater weight on me.

When I’m around them I’m not myself,

But I think I get closer to happy.