my happy factory

you never see the fear
the sorrow
the loneliness that burns behind these eyes
a flash
a flicker
a glimmer of receding pain
only the vapors are for you
the world-weary sorrow
the ancient lethargy that threatens to drag me to an unwelcome grave
my melancholy eyes downcast
a listless frown 'neath a furrowed brow
these things you never see
they're with me when i'm not near you
but you drive them all away from me