But I never stop

they said

be strong

so I built walls

and called them a home.

they said

be the best

so I climbed mountains

with bleeding hands

and no one saw.

they said

win

or nothing at all—

so I smiled

when I wanted to scream

and I kept going

when I was breaking.

the world

cheered

for the mask

but not the girl beneath it.

and some nights

I wonder

if I stopped running

would they

still love me.