Never Close Your Eyes

Who am I?

Who's to say that you know who I am.
Who's to say I am who I say I am.
Who's to say I'm as solid as you see me?
Who's to say that I'm not broken.

Your expectations ride on my shoulders as i walk a bumpy road.
They bruise me with every bump and jostle.
I call out but you don't recognize me.
Sadly I left my mask at home and now you don't see me the same.

Many call it courageous when I stand instead of kneeling.
But you don't see the steel I've bolted to myself in order to have a spine
When they push I punch
All for the hope that they never come back.
But you never see my bruised knuckles and sprained wrist.

How do I tell you what I am when all you see is who I wish I could be
Please look past the armor to see my battle scars