Life-Long Masquerade

I put it on every day
It is a part of me
The mask that I hide behind
For all eternity

I'm never seen without it
This is who I am
Keeping floods of feelings back
Blocked behind this dam

But it was built so long ago
That this dam grows weary
And day by day, water breaks through
I flee the room in fury

The foundation and mascara
These layers can't disguise
Because the mask is washed away
By the tears from these eyes

Quick! -- before someone notices
Quick! -- before someone sees
They must not see that which is true
-- must not see the real me

So I paint the mask back on

Disgusted with my reflection
I wipe the black from my eye
Nobody should see me like this
If so, I would sooner die

So I paint my mask back on
And return to the masquerade