Red Bow

I'll wrap my soul in bandages so tightly,
And tie a bright red bow to hide the pain.
I'll paint my eyes and smile a little brightly,
And fool the whole wide world with my disguise.

The bandages still bleed, my bow is crimson,
And though I try, my eyes still give me away.
The ones in bandages will understand me,
The ones unhurt will never feel the same.

I've learned to smile so delicately,
When everything inside me wants to scream,
And speak so calmly, almost cheerfully,
When all my soul is breaking at the seams.

I've learned to make myself almost like iron,
To never show it with a hand or glance.
But in the night, the silence tears me open,
And every mask collapses into ash.

The bandages still bleed, my bow is crimson,
And though I try, my eyes still give me away.
The ones in bandages will understand me,
The ones unhurt will never feel the same.

Don't touch the seams —
They're still alive and aching.
Don't ask me questions
Carelessly or wrong.

We're all so beautifully
Hidden under makeup,
But blood still finds a way
To stain the bow.

The bandages still bleed, my bow is crimson,
And though I try, my eyes still give me away.
The ones in bandages will understand me,
The ones unhurt will never feel the same.