Paper Halo

Neon smiles in perfect frames
We trade our breath for borrowed names

We learn the script, we hit the mark
We glow on cue, we hide the dark
Polite hello, precise I'm fine
A curated heart on borrowed time

We laugh in sync, we nod on beat
Turn messy truth into something neat
If love is proof, we show receipts
A million eyes, a thousand seats

And every compliment is a chain
Soft as silk, still pulling pain
We keep it sweet, we keep it light
But feel the cracks under spotlight

We wear a paper halo for the crowd
Hands up high, hearts turned down
Say the right words, play the role
While emptiness collects its toll

Flash, flash, make it holy
Dance, dance, don't get lonely
If they love the shape we show
Do they ever love the soul?

Smile on one, breathe on two
Give them perfect: Hide the bruise
Clap on three, don't explain
Pretty hurts, but it pays

We're everyone's favorite version
Safe and sweet, no sharp excursion
We filter flaws, we crop the grief
We sell relief like disbelief

Kindness turns to overtime
A tired saint in party lights
And when the room demands more
We give, and feel a little sore

If we stop performing, who remains?
If we drop the mask, what breaks?
The silence doesn't clap for us
It only asks

Some love is measured in reactions
Some peace is bought with practiced actions
We don't lie, we just edit the truth
Till it fits a stranger's view

So turn it up, let the surface glow
Let the deeper ache stay low
We keep the rhythm clean and tight
So nobody sees the night

We wear a paper halo for the crowd
Hands up high, hearts turned down
Say the right words, play the role
While emptiness collects its toll

Flash, flash, make it holy
Dance, dance, don't get lonely
If they love the shape we show
Do they ever love the soul?

No encore, for the real