Poem: "- Joke -" by Daniel Ryan

- Joke -
by Daniel Ryan

I'm only laughing on the outside
My smile is just skin deep
If you could see inside I'm really crying
You might join me for a weep
I am simply a joke
Something this world can't take serious
Upon my promises and threats
One might think I am delirious
Underneath my outside face
This one you can not see
A little less sad, a little less glee
But a whole lot more like me.
A threat to society
I'm furious
Now that I see my true face
Why so serious?
Smile, because it confuses people
Smile, because it’s easier than explaining
What is killing you inside
I just hope my death makes more cents
Than my own life
For my whole life
I didn't know if I even really exist
But I do now
And people are starting to notice
I haven't been happy
One minute of my entire life
There is no punchline
To my bad day
I just don't want to feel
So bad anymore, every day
Forgive my laughter
I have a serious condition
Being a clown
Is just part of my tradition
The worst part of having a mental illness
Is people expect you to behave
As if you don't
I used to think that my life
Was a tragic joke
But now I realize, it's a fucking comedy.
You know, that now, this is my life tragedy
Laughter you can now hear
That echoes through the walls
For all to see
As they look in my eyes
Through my mask
I designed of my own pure
Insanity . .
.
HA HA HA