I’m Fine

I say

I’m Fine

always Fine

even when all I want

is to scream until my lungs give out

to cry until there’s nothing left

but I can’t

because to cry

is to show weakness

so I pick myself up

And piece myself back together

and say

I’m Fine

even though I’m not

even though it feels like

my insides are being torn apart

even though I feel like

I’m breaking at the seams

I lie and say

I’m Fine

because to say anything else

would be to admit that I am hurt

and that would kill

what little is left of me

so instead I say

I’m Fine

because if I admit the truth

if I admit that all I want

is for those two little words

to be true

instead of a lie

instead of something I say

to protect myself

I would have to admit

that I will never be

Fine

I would have to admit

that I have broken

too many times

to smile

and say

I’m Fine