Averting Gazes

Ignore the darkness.
Close your eyes, look away
pretend it’s not there and it’ll be true.
They act like they’re three years old,
the people here
in this society where we live.
Stop.
Don’t look.
Take a peek then hide again.
Peek-a-boo.
They deny me my pain,
my right to grieve –
My face becomes a mask,
emotions buried
until I become a shell.
Happiness hollowed out
a silent scream pleading please
please let me feel, tell me it’s okay
But they don’t want to see.

They look away.