I've grown accustomed to putting on a happy face for others so they go away happy, but when alone a different face emerges. This serious face is scarred from past hurts and disappointments, showing fear about the future and a wider range of emotions than just joy. However, people love a clown to have an excellent time, so that happy face is worn most as it helps others hide the faces they don't want to share.

1. Two Faces
By: Nathanael Dungan
I’ve grown accustomed
to putting on a happy face.
To always make them laugh.
Nothing but smiles and jokes
so everyone goes away happy.
But when I am all alone
that mask comes off.
Underneath it is different.
It is not so much an unhappy face
but rather a more serious one.
The face is scarred with hurt
and disappointments from the past.
Not clean and unblemished like the other.
This face shows signs of fear
and concern about the future.
The face shows more emotions
than strictly joy and happiness.
A wide variety on any given day.
There is so much more depth
on this face than the happy one.
But people love a clown
and to have an excellent time.
So that is the face I wear most.
It helps people hide their faces
that they don’t want to share.