"I am good," the words escape,
A mask I wear, a hidden cape.
Behind the smile, the laughter's glow,
Lies a tempest you'll never know.

The biggest lie, a fortress tall,
A shield against the world's harsh call.
"I am good," I say with ease,
Hoping to find some fleeting peace.

But deep inside, the shadows dance,
In silent nights, they take their chance.
The battles fought, the tears unshed,
The fears that haunt my weary head.

Yet still I say, "I am good,"
To keep the world from where I stood.
For in this lie, I find my might,
To face the day, to brave the night.

I say "I am good" because I can't share,
The weight I carry, the burdens I bear.
I feel the guilt for all that's wrong,
In silence, I suffer, but I stay strong.

My heart, a cavern, echoes pain,
A storm within, a ceaseless rain.
So if you hear those words from me,
Know there's more than what you see.

"I am good," a phrase so slight,
Hides the truth, the darkest night.
A whispered lie, a silent cry,
The biggest lie, "I am good," I sigh.
© Shree Mukherjee