The Stories We Hide

He jokes too loud at parties. Always first to pour the drinks. Knows the name

of every stranger. Not a soul knows what he thinks. She sits quiet

in the corner. Countin' exits, countin' breaths. Keeps her laughter in her pocket

next to all the words she left. We pass each other daily.

Like ghosts in borrowed coats. Together. Smilin' in the doorway

carryin' what we never show. Everyone has a story. The one nobody

talks about. The page that never turns over. The chapter written in doubt.

We dress it up for the cameras. But it's screamin' underneath.