A new era approaches
Too soon and too late
Summer is fading away
Winter's harsh winds arrived

My old sanctuary taken over
A secret garden lost
Reclaimed by those it seems to favor
Abandoned and alone for me

It seems the time has come again
To put on my happy mask
Create the illusion I hide behind
Make them think I'm fine

A character fitting for me
Invisible to all
Just like how I feel
Behind my happy mask

They forget me
I'm used to it
Not the first time
Not the last

In the garden I seem fine
Like I enjoy being there
No one really knows what happens
When I get home

I close the door
Remove my mask
Turn off the lights
And fall apart

The music is turned up
So I can't be heard
Not that it matters
My cries are silent

I stay like this for some time
Just me, the dark, and the music
It has always been there for me
Because people hardly are

They don't know this
Because I don't tell them
I'd just sound whiny
No one wants to hear that

Even if they were willing to listen
They won't do anything
Are the friends in the garden
Really my friends

Am I fake friends with them
Do they just tolerate me
Will someone in the garden
Come find me

Will they see me with the mask
And will they take it off
See how I really feel
and understand

How I feel as an outcast
wherever I go
I'm just 'there'
and acknowledged as so

If you know me
And you solved my riddle
You know what I'm talking about
I truly commend you

What is the garden
Do you see me wearing the mask
What do you really think of me
These you must answer

Until next time
I end this here
See you next poem
The hidden dreamer