I’ve been screaming into silence, nobody hears the sound Smiles on my face but my soul’s six feet underground They see the grades, the plans, the light they think I am But I’m drowning in my own skin, they’ll never understand Rubber bands bite where words can't reach Scars on my palm where I silently preach That I’m not okay, that I’m coming undone But they’d rather see the shine than the shadow of the sun Dark thoughts from even darker nights, still I’m here I’ve been living a lifetime full of fear Burn marks hidden, heart still bleeding Begging for peace but I keep receding People laugh when I open my chest Tell me “be strong” like I'm not doing my best I’m not looking for pity, just a space to be real A room where my madness is allowed to heal I'm not gone yet — that’s still a win Even if my mind’s loud and my hope is thin Maybe one day, I’ll sing this and not cry But for now, I write so I don’t die.