I laugh the loudest
At the cliches and the anecdotes.
At the silly jokes and silly lyrics.

I laugh the loudest
When they tell me to.
Because they tell me to.

I laugh the loudest
While they try to veil the horror around us.

I laugh the loudest
When I see the seeds of hope
Crushed.

I laugh the loudest
Because other important people will decide if I have the right to cry.

I laugh the loudest
Even as I die inside.

Because that's what I'm supposed to do.

Maybe one day
My laughter will finally drown the voices that are too terrifying to hear.

Maybe not.