Do you like my mask?
I made it just for you.
I know that the second I take it off,
You'll throw a fit.

So I leave it on.

Maybe it's true that,
Without this mask,
I can still be anything I want.
Maybe I could even be
A stunningly beautiful princess,
Deserving of every praise thrown her way.

But I'm not.
Instead, I am a warrior,
Forced daily to plaster a bold and courageous
Smile on her face,
And fight for her
Sanity.

Yes, of course, the possibility still stands
That maybe if I took off my mask,
My dreams could come true.
But don't you see?
It is far easier to remain a warrior.
I know of no one who would dare to
Cross the path of a warrior
And not tremble in fear.

A princess gets trampled on
And left out in the cold to be
Betrayed by her worst fears.

Society expects me to remain
A noble and courageous woman
Showing no fear.
And if that's what society wants,
That's society will get.