Hidden Frown
Smiles that hide frowns are around so they won’t put people down.
I smile outside, but inside I frown.
I may seem happy, but unhappy I really am.
Why – you wonder, if you know me just look where I am!
Time goes by but my smile still stands.
Hurt I am because I am treated as more an animal than a man!
Hurt I am but hide it I’ve been taught, so smile I still can!
Hurt I am, but only me and other few know just how hurt I am!
Hurt I am but smile I do, because my frown people may not understand!
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
One day, your smile will be true…but yes, there is hurt inside, too.
This poem is powerful and engaging. Yes, the reader responds! I get it. The way for the poem to be even more powerful is for it the author to ask himself, what does this line add to what’s already been established because as powerful as this poem is I believe it can work harder and do more. It’s really intriguing and that’s why I feel compelled to write a comment. I especially like starting with the idea that the smile is for other people.
Now don’t get me wrong. . .repetition is powerful but I think the best poems also are very compressed–lot of meaning, and lots of surprises/discoveries(in phrasing or content or both) in a very few words.
Thank you for your truthful words and honest sayings. It is a completely understandable feeling.
“I smile outside, but inside I frown” – I can agree with this statement and I’m sure others will too! It’s much easier to fake a smile around others than to show true emotion!
“Hurt I am because I am treated as more an animal than a man!” – This is the sad truth I have realized with American prison systems!
I hope they treat you better and I wish you the best!
~JP
I can almost feel your pain while reading this poem because the poem is written so well. It is very hard to hide your sadness with a smile every day. “Hurt I am but hide it I’ve been taught, so smile I still can!” This quote is very touching, but it makes me want to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help because living in sadness doesn’t end well. Keep up the great writing!
This poem is very touching and heartbreaking. It is so sad to hear that you have to put a smile on just to make people not worry. Do not ever be afraid to share your emotions because it will help you become happier and you will build relationships along the way. Writing seems like a great outlet to share what you are feeling, so keep up the great work!
Hello,
This poem resonates with me a lot. My mom always said “fake it till you make it” while I think this motto has a good connotation of confidence, I can see how it would make others feel that they have to hide their real emotions from the world. I think the themes in this poem also speak a lot about how we never know what someone else is going through. A lot of us put on a brave face when inside we feel like giving up. This poem is a great reminder that we should be nice to each other as we never know the type of day the person sitting next to us is having.
This poem captures the struggle of hiding inner pain behind a smile. It reflects the difficulty of concealing hurt while trying to appear happy, and the isolation that comes with not being understood. It speaks to the emotional weight of pretending to be okay when you’re not. I really enjoyed reading your poem and think you did a great job!
This is a powerful poem. How you capture a way of handling deep sadness is a way many could relate to. Even though on the outside we may seem like we are fine, we never know the inward pain others could be feeling. Your exploration of this is courageous. I hope you continue to write.
I find this most poem to be the most relatable to a lot of people, I think it’s telling to how people must preform and do well even despite inner emotion. Someday you won’t have to force a smile and you’ll truly be happy!