Happy Go Lucky

Happy Go Lucky

What a façade
Like the faces on Mt. Rushmore
Or Mona Lisa’s grin

Eager faces turn to him
All smiles and moving in
They haven’t a clue the angst inside,
His own Inner Grim

The man is always joking
Always shucking
Always jiving

No one notices, or seems to care
The madness this is driving

Inner Grim is in charge
He puts the food on the plate
Allows the man to move and function
Though it is he the man hates.

The odd joke is told,
Innuendo brought to light.
Laughs and smiles on the surface
just beneath

Only blight

Reality: unbearable
Every waking moment there’s pain
Inner demons drive him
Red-hot pokers in his brain

Inner Grim is cruising now
Gland handing and handshaking
Silently, the man plots his return
Every fiber, every pore
Can’t keep from aching

Give me one day
Just one day
Of peace
Of rest
Tho’ peace is not forthcoming
And it is this truth he detests

My name is mud, he surmises
But nobody can tell
If only they know the real me
The occupier of this earth-bound Hell

For now he strives on
Plodding,
day after day
Never knowing
Never caring

If real joy will come his way