Poems written in a dark room

Expectations

I smile because
Although on the inside my world is shattered
A smile will hold it together
I smile because
If I believe in it for long enough
I forget about how I'm drowning
I smile because
It's what everyone expects from me
I don't cry because
I'm so hollow I can't
I don't cry because
No one can see me sad
I don't cry because
It's what everyone expects from me
I keep trying because
I have to be strong
I keep trying because
You won't let me stop holding on
I keep trying because
It's what everyone expects from me
So when I can't be strong anymore
I apologise because you don't expect me to have weakness
When I've seemed strong for so long