faceless individuals hiding under masks
frowning smiles overlooked, no questions are asked.
a smile stretched across a face -
an art form that's improving.
we get so caught up in hiding
we forget we're losing.

identical tap dancers in a nameless studio
clicking clacking all day long with nowhere to go.
a pale white face, a painted smile
"darling, won't you stay awhile?"
she hopes in vain someone will notice.
but in time, she fades into dust

a long forgotten hero who pretends to be okay.
assuring everyone they know that they won't fade away.
for some people, there's no way back.
they're stuck inside their happy acts.
faking smiles every day,
the definition of too late.

a ritardando melody, slowing down and softening.
a rest before a final measure, strings echoing for forever.
muted applause and hushed remarks
broken and reconstructed hearts
shattered glass from broken masks
hiding in every shadow.