The Shield Poem by PHIL WINTER

</>Behind this shield, another shield
Some other shield
And no one knows
Just how inside, I feel.
Behind this mask, another mask,
Some other mask
And no one knows
How great my task.
I keep my peace!
They shed their tears!
I wipe their eyes!
My hurt inside
Is more than theirs!
I would not cry!
Tears cannot ease
My pressures nor my pain!
I...I must now decide
Failure or victory!
Happiness or discontent!
Sanity or insanity!