Front Row Smile

You clap the loudest in the front row seat Post my wins like it’s your feed Say “so proud” with a perfect grin But your jaw gets tight when I walk in You study every move I make Turn support into a stake You call it love, you call it care But competition’s in the air You compliment my outfit twice Then tell a room I’m “cold as ice.” You play both sides so clean and neat But fake applause ain’t loyalty Front row smile, backstage shade You cheer for me but hope I fade You say my name like we’re aligned But envy’s louder than your lines Front row smile, sharpened teeth Clap above and cut beneath If you want the crown so bad Take it. I don’t need that You screenshot things you say you love Zoom in close, then tear them up You say I’m “lucky,” not that I grind Guess hard work hurts your mind You measure me against yourself Keep my progress on your shelf You smile wide but count my flaws Waiting for a crack to pause You hate that I don’t trip or fall Hate that I don’t beg or call You wanted me unsure, off-beat Not standing steady on my feet Front row smile, silent race You track my pace, you fake embrace You don’t want me at my best You just want me second place Front row smile, careful tone You cheer but hope I fall alone If I’m your threat, that’s not my role That’s just your fragile ego I see the way your energy shifts When someone else gives me a lift Your silence louder than applause Jealousy without a cause But I don’t dim to make you bright I don’t lose so you feel right You want my shine without the heat That’s not how crowns and pressure meet So keep your front row, keep the show Keep pretending we both glow I’d rather stand without the cheer Than clap for someone out of fear Front row smile, curtain close Now everybody knows You never wanted me to win You just wanted to stand within Front row smile, I let it go You watch I grow