An overt show of confidence Masking chronic insecurity A balancing act like no other Living two lives simultaneously An alter ego to protect the ego A wall of silence camouflaged by noise Intricate distraction tactics at play Revealing my thoughts In order to conceal my soul Controlling the narrative Asking all the questions Keeping the conversation trivial Seek to commandeer attention And control where it goes Avoid eye contact They can’t be trusted to pretend Hiding nothing but the shame Yet leaving the pain and fear For all to see An obtuse version of bravery With all the bark and no bite The same energy spent on a lie Could be utilised to fly