Tears fall fast
behind my smile
Inside I’m dying
but no one sees
This happy face
is my protection
This cheerful smile
and elaborate mask
Nobody knows
who I really am
No one but me
see all of my fears
Glimpses are shown
to a chosen few
but the full extent
is behind closed doors
The pain is pushed down
The tears wiped away
Fears locked away
from prying eyes
A smile carefully applied
To be shown to the world
I try to be brave
to hide this hurt
but once in a while
the smile cracks
the mask slips
and I shine through
But still they are blind
to what I feel
too involved in
their silly games
I’m not being moody!
I’m not being unfair!
My anger is just
part of this pain
the sarcasm a disguise
for a cry for help
the tears still fall
behind my smile
inside I die
piece by piece
-Kelsey
AMP is a youth-driven, statewide group that seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among foster and adoptive children in Iowa. AMP offers leadership opportunities, service learning projects, speaking opportunities, and educational/vocational assistance. AMP also provides the life skills youth need to become self-sufficient, independent adults.
| Ames | Eldora State Training School |
| Burlington | Fort Dodge |
| Cedar Rapids | Marshalltown |
| Council Bluffs | Mason City |
| Davenport | Ottumwa |
| Des Moines/Mobile | Sioux City |
| Dubuque | Waterloo |
