This Is The Face

This is the face she uses
when she wants people
to bounce off the surface
and leave her alone

This is the face she uses
to tell you she's listening
When she is really thinking
about something else

This is the face she uses
when she wants you
to back off, thus far
and no further.

This is the face she uses
to tell you she has
everything under control
Barely...

And this is face that appears
when everything falls apart
When she's too tired to pretend
and when the sadness
she has kept in check
escapes its bounds

This is the face she wears
When she has no other face
in reserve.

(Jennifer Jacobs)