"i'm fine."

two words. a mask.

a detour from reality.

"i'm fine" fits perfectly

between a smile and a change of subject,

while the truth swims

just beneath the surface.

"i'm fine."

a total of seven letters

that, somehow, i have hidden

an entire life behind.

not quite a lie,

but a veil

that hides the fear of being alone,

the diagnosis i'm scared to share,

and the apology that never came

when time ran out.

so i keep saying it—

hoping someone looks close enough

to hear what i actually mean.