Poem: The Jester
By Pasqual Torres

He hides his pain with a laugh
and boastful comedy
On his stage the jokes pour out
for everyone to see

Distraction from every angle
so that no one ever grows wise
to the distance look and retreated heart
apparent in his eyes

Ha-ha, He-he, the crowd erupts
laughter splits their sides
And they never notices the anger
this jester always hides

But as time goes on it eats away at him
and leaves him openhearted
Revealing a fragile soul
completely left unguarded

In the past the jokes protected him
he simply pushes others out
But now he's left so vulnerable
that his only defense is in doubt

So he carries on with the laughs
fearful of the pain he's concealing
And envies the joy of the crowd
Hoping to one day know the feeling