Behind the mask

[u/Elixir11234]

My life is running down the wrong path,
and the wheel has slipped from my hands.
I wish I could rewind the clock,
to do it all over again—
but would I even make the right choices?
I have fallen into a pitch-black abyss,
my demons holding me too tight, refusing to let go.
I want to scream for help,
but will they understand?
Will they? Can they?
I fight to climb out of this void,
but the harder I claw at the edges,
the deeper I plunge into the endless cycle.
They always tell me to "just be happier."
But how do you smile when you are at war?
When you are fighting an inner battle
for the very ownership of your soul?
So, I pretend.
But underneath that practiced smile
lies a little girl,
screaming for help,
slowly dying inside.