Porcelain smooth flawless impenetrable—
a mask built to protect to impress to hide
Cracks spread without permission
Emotion leaks in through the seams
Pressure builds
Paint blisters under truths denied too long
Eyes behind it shrink then widen then blaze
Humanity rebels against perfection
Tears gather at the rim—hesitant then brave
Salt finds its way through hairline fractures
The mask trembles—not from weakness
but from revelation
When it finally shatters
the face beneath shines raw exquisite
Tears fall freely cleansing everything
The mask learned to cry I learned to live