Smile for the Hidden Camera

<(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> I trip on my thoughts, then I talk too fast, Tongue tied, truth bent, did I fail that test or pass? I laugh at the lamp like it’s in on the joke, Did the chair just stare back or was that a poke? I spill my drink, then I wink at the wall, Why do accidents happen right after I fall? If I sneeze, someone cheers, if I cry, cue a sigh, Is that thunder outside or a laugh track in disguise? <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> Every mirror feels smug, every window feels wise, Like the world’s got a script and I’m missing my lines. If I whisper my secrets, they echo back louder, Who’s clapping right now, and why does it sound… prouder? <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> So smile, don’t stall, don’t scratch, don’t stall, If I’m the main character, who’s watching it all? I tie up my lies in a truth-twisted knot, Wave to the void like “hello, are you hot?” If this is a show, rate me low, rate me high, Just tell me who’s filming when I’m home alone crying. <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> I pace, I pause, I pose then I panic, Act natural… wait, what is organic? I rehearse reactions to things I don’t know, Why do plot twists hit me right after I grow? I burn toast twice, that can’t be chance, Why does the bus always come when I’m mid-existence dance? I flirt with the fridge, I argue with fate, If this gets cut for time, was my trauma “too late”? <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> I talk to myself, then I bow to the room, If I break character, do they zoom in or zoom out soon? I blink in Morse code, just in case it’s real, One blink for help, two blinks for “this deal feels unreal.” <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> So smile, don’t stall, don’t glitch, don’t stall, If I’m the main character, who’s watching it all? I rhyme my paranoia neat, tidy, and tight, Package my panic for prime-time delight. If this is a show, give me notes, give me signs, Or at least tell me who laughs when I cross every line. <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> If I scream in the shower, does someone rewind? If I fall in love, is it “good for the timeline”? I juggle my doubts in a spiraling spin, If I’m not being watched… then who let the meaning creep in? <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> So smile, don’t stall, take a bow, play along, If I’m the punchline, at least make me strong. I twist every word till it sparkles with fear, If no one is watching… why do I feel seen in here? Cut to black, cue the truth, cue the end or the start If I’m not the main character… Why’s the world staring straight at my heart? <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)> <(○)>