Only When I Laugh

On my face is a mask
The mask of a smiling clown
With a smile that conveys as much happiness
As the fixed grin of rigor mortis
And as all masks are worn to hide the truth
This clown's mask hides something
That has been dead for years 

See the clown laugh 
(it's only a recording) 
See the clown dance 
(it's only spasms of death) 
Laugh clown, laugh!

Oh, but the part of the clown's hard to play
And this mask so heavy to wear
I wish you could see behind it, and ask me: 
"Does it hurt, my friend?" 
And I'd answer: 
"Only when I laugh, my dear - Only when I laugh"

© Darkamber 1995-2002
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