I see the invisible pain

They smile,

They laugh,

But in their eyes I see something,

A sadness,

A pain.

They grin brighter than the sun, but I see the slumped shoulders and hear the quiet sighs and see the light in their eyes dim every day, as they hope, but they try to stress without us knowing. I see. 

I see her. She walks and talks like she knows everything, bosses people around, and acts like she could lead the world, but I see underneath it all. She’s stressed, she’s overwhelmed, she’s hurting. She nods her head when someone says, “we’re going.” She doesn’t want to go.

I see another. I see her. She laughs and smiles scarily big and giggles loudly and runs around making everyone’s days brighter. But I see her pain as the others give mean glances and mutter under their breath about her, calling her mean names, and even to her face bullying her and treating her like garbage. And yet she does everything for everyone because she loves them. She smiles, but she wants to cry.

I see the invisible battles you all are going through, and I’m sorry.

I feel the pain when you do, because I know how you feel, and I’m sorry. 

I’m sorry, I try to help, and I try, because I know there’s always a choice.

You’re not far gone. No, not for me. I’ll always be here;

When they bully you I’ll stand by your side and stand up for you, or we’ll be treated like that together, not alone.

When you're stressed out about life, just know I know, and even though it’s been awkward between us, I’m here to help. You're still my friend.

And when you two need someone to do extra work, even if a little, I will gladly do it. I’m here. 

Because I see it all. I feel it all. Because that is my gift,

To heal and help those around me,

To give second chances to those who never got them,

To bring light in the dark and help them see their not alone. 

You are not alone. I will help the best way I can. I will give empathy, because the world needs it. We need it.