The Fawn Response

Behold my charming smile

and kindness in my eyes;

both belie the churning

of the hurricane inside.

My civility, it knows no bounds

as I extend a helping hand

while my soul, it shrieks in agony

at the trauma that left its brand.

The calm of my exterior

masks the tempest that’s within,

as I struggle just to survive each day

with the obligatory grin.

Extending every courtesy

as I pray that I don’t die

from the ever-present terror

that in my heart does lie.

Think about the gentle souls

you encounter every day

are they barely hanging on

behind the quiet words they say?