You smile for them.
The mask holds.
Your truth stays buried
and so you continue.
You walk past me,
handing your insecurities to others like offerings,
tried to climb through me,
fed them lies like currency,
made your moves in boardrooms and hallways,
and still,
nothing shifted.
But behind closed doors we both see it,
the thread pulling loose,
the armor showing its first crack.
And I will be there.
In your darkness.
Gazing back.
Knowing everything.
Never mistake my kindness for weakness.