Dusty tears on my pillow
and I hide 
in the creases.
In the darkness I smooth the divide,
snagging on the jagged edges,
blood in my brain.
Beat, beat, beat,
finger on my pulse,
aching disbelief.
How did I ever
wind up here?

In the light I am hidden,
such a beautiful mask
even I believe 
myself.
It's ok,
you are the painter
of my smile.
Nothing else exists.
My heart is stripped,
tattered denial, dirty on the floor
and bandages of protection
discarded.
How could I ever
move from here?