People see what I send out
They do not need to see
The plethora of painful things that lie
Within my memory

Childhood ruined with rods and fist
Relationships by divorce
Military career that hides trigger pulls
I feel I'm dragged behind a horse

Every breathing moment
I am reminded of a fault
Something that I could not do
They are hidden in my vault

So if by chance you hear me laugh
Please take time and refrain
From finding ways to remind me
I'm laughing out the pain.
© Geoffrey Shelton